While Israeli reserve soldiers risk their lives in battle, their wives are the true unsung heroes.
By Hezy Laing
While Israeli reserve soldiers risk their lives in battle, their wives are the true unsung heroes. Managing families, careers, and personal struggles—often in silence—they provide strength, stability, and support. Their resilience ensures soldiers can serve with focus, making these women vital pillars of Israel’s defense.
1. Shimrit Naamat
Lieutenant Colonel Itai Naamat, a reservist commander in the IDF’s 460th Armor School Brigade, returned to service after October 7 to lead 350 soldiers in Gaza. His unit’s mission was to deliver vital supplies—fuel, food, water, and weapons—to frontline troops. Despite his age and retirement, Naamat felt compelled to serve, believing Jewish survival depends on self‑defense. He recounts the terror of losing three soldiers in a Hamas ambush and the fear of returning to the same dangerous route, yet he pressed on, knowing his brigade relied on him.
Naamat insists that the true hero is his wife, Shimrit. Just days before the October 7 attacks, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. While her husband was called to battle, she underwent surgery alone, without informing him until afterward, so he could remain focused on his soldiers. Shimrit balanced her demanding career as an attorney with caring for their children, all while recovering from cancer. She deliberately shielded her husband and children from her struggles, prioritizing his mission and the family’s stability.
Beyond her personal resilience, Shimrit organized community support for soldiers’ families. She coordinated food packages, activities for children, and morale‑boosting events, ensuring families felt cared for while their loved ones fought. Her efforts reassured soldiers that their families were safe, strengthening their resolve in battle.
For more details on her incredible story visit: aish.com/the-real-heroes-of-the-idf-the-wives-of-israeli-soldiers/
2. Dana Levi
When her husband was mobilized, Dana quickly realized that many reservists’ families were struggling with childcare. She organized a neighborhood cooperative, pooling resources and volunteers to watch children while mothers worked. Beyond logistics, she created a supportive community where wives could share burdens and advice. Dana’s initiative not only kept households functioning but also gave soldiers peace of mind, knowing their families were cared for. Her leadership turned isolation into solidarity during a difficult period.
3. Yael Ben‑David
Yael’s husband was called up for months, leaving her to manage three children and their family business alone. She became both parent and provider, balancing school runs, household chores, and financial responsibilities. Despite exhaustion, Yael maintained stability for her children, shielding them from anxiety. She described herself as “living two lives at once,” embodying resilience and determination. Her ability to keep the family afloat allowed her husband to serve without distraction, knowing home remained secure.
4. Maya Cohen
Maya, a lawyer and mother of two, faced the challenge of balancing her demanding career with solo parenting when her husband joined combat operations. She joined the Miluima movement, connecting with other reservists’ wives for emotional support. Maya also helped organize workshops and counseling sessions, ensuring women had tools to cope with stress. Her dual role—professional and caregiver—showed remarkable strength. By fostering community resilience, she amplified her husband’s mission, proving that support networks are vital in wartime.
5. Tamar Shalev
Tamar’s husband was stationed on the front lines, and she took it upon herself to coordinate morale packages for soldiers’ families. She organized food deliveries, care packages, and community events, ensuring spouses felt valued and connected. Tamar believed that supporting families directly strengthened soldiers’ resolve. Her tireless work reassured fighters that their loved ones were safe and cared for. By turning compassion into action, Tamar became a vital link between the battlefield and the home front.
Israeli soldiers’ wives carry immense burdens, managing households, careers, and crises while their husbands fight. They embody courage, sacrifice, and devotion, sustaining both the IDF and the Jewish people. Naamat and Shimrit’s story exemplifies the quiet heroism of women who hold the nation together during war.
