Episode 47: The Lone Soldier with Avi Bierman

In this episode of The Spark, Dr. Weiss sat down with Bornblum alum and Lone Soldier, Avi Bierman, who made Aliyah to Israel and served in the IDF Tank Battalion. Avi discussed his long-held desire to move to Israel and join the army, which was influenced by his teachers at Bornblum. They talk about his experience going through Garin Tzabar to facilitate his Aliyah and integration into Israeli society as a lone solider. He shared his experiences from October 7 and a harrowing story from his former security coordinator. He reflected on the importance of the close-knit community he found through Garin Tzabar, similar to his experiences at Bornblum.This week's Spark is dedicated to the memory of Rav Avi Goldberg z"l. Rav Goldberg was the Rosh Kollel (head Rabbi) of Kollel Torah Mitzion in Memphis from 2008-2011. Rav Goldberg believed strongly in K'lal Yisrael (the entire Jewish community) and was the first Torah Mitzion Rabbi to come regularly to Bornblum to teach our students. He taught Taamei HaMikra (Torah trops) to our students, taught them about Israel and created a Tu B'Shvat Seder that we still use to this day. While not a Lone Soldier, Rav Goldberg regularly opened his home to lone soldiers and those traveling to Israel. May his memory be for a blessing.