Mrs. Yaara Newman, an Israeli Defense Force veteran, told a two-sided story of her experience in the IDF as part of Yom Hazikaron observance in the Bet Midrash May 9.

Mrs. Newman served in the IDF as a First Lieutenant from 1994 to 1995 before moving to Los Angeles in 2004. She is currently the Human Resources Admin at Hillel and a mother of four.

Her story began with the death of her uncle, which occurred before she was born. He and another soldier were attacked while trying to rescue a compatriot who had been shot. As they ran from the battlefield, all three were shot and killed. Though she had not known him personally, his death took a large toll on her family and still does today.

“After my uncle’s death, my grandparents became very old looking,” Mrs. Newman said of the life changing tragedy. “In every aspect of life we are reminded of him. There is big hole in our family.”

On the other hand, Mrs. Newman considers her own time in the IDF as one of the best experiences she’s ever had.She described what she did as a religious female soldier, which is somewhat unusual since religious girls don’t have to serve.

At the time, girls could not pursue combat for the state of Israel. Instead, Mrs. Newman helped prepare soldiers, both emotionally and physically, for the reality of war.

“It was the best time of my life” she said.