The IDF honors its brightest each year before Rosh Hashanah. Asst. Staff-Sgt. Yossi Bluming and a select group of his comrades were honored as Outstanding Soldiers for their continued excellence in the 6,000-member Paratroopers Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces.
The accolade recognizes soldiers who go above and beyond in performing their tasks and who foster wholesome connections within the IDF and the communities they serve.
Bluming, who emigrated from the United States three years ago, is in charge of a combat squad of 18 men.
Along the northern border and all over Judea and Samaria, his unit has been given difficult assignments.
A 50-year memorial and retrospective of the Yom Kippur War of 1973 were part of the award ceremony, which was presided over by Lt. Col. Ami Biton, commander of the Paratroopers Brigade.
Biton discussed the brigade’s prior valiant efforts as well as how this year’s honorees consistently go above and beyond expectations. Bluming expressed his gratitude for the honor and humility.
In the IDF, I have not had to sacrifice any aspect of my religious identity for my professional identity,” he said, looking back on his time as a Haredi soldier.
My coworkers value that. He identified himself as a Chabad movement supporter and stated that “the Rebbe encouraged us to shine the light of Judaism through the life we live, wherever we live.”
He continued, “It is my duty to serve and protect the people of Israel, and it has definitely been worth the investment for me. I hope this will motivate other Haredi adolescents who are thinking about joining the IDF. I think other Haredi young guys who take this road can experience something similar.
The founders of the Maryland-based Chabad Congregation of Potomac, Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Sarah Bluming, are her parents. Yossi and his wife, Batya, live in a little town close to Modi’in. They met there.
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