About Ruach Nechona
Nice to meet you!
Ruach Nechona is dedicated to building a community, fostering connections, and bridging gaps for lone soldiers—before, during, and after their military service. Over the past decade, we have touched 22,573 hearts with the help of 3,700 volunteers, and we’re just getting started.
As part of our efforts, we launched the Shaveh B’Shaveh (Equally Together) project, which creates equal opportunities for lone soldiers to integrate into and contribute to Israeli society.
We strive to reach as many young adults as possible and create opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. We believe that each person has something valuable to offer, and we invite everyone to take part in their own way—utilizing their knowledge, skills, and unique resources.
Supporting our organization isn’t just about financial contributions. It means offering your time, talents, and resources to help us expand the circle of giving and increase the opportunities we can provide. Together, we can empower young adults to integrate into Israeli society as engaged and active members.
The Numbers Speak from the Heart
Our Vision
Ruach Nechona strives to create a united society—one that recognizes the value of others, the strength of community, and the power of young people in shaping Israel’s future.
Together with a broad network of partners—youth, lone soldiers, young adults, volunteers, organizations, and social initiatives—we cultivate an endless cycle of giving, planting the seeds of mutual responsibility.
Our goal is to build an inclusive and supportive community that embraces and uplifts every individual, rooted in a deep belief in Israel’s younger generation.
Our Mission
- Providing a dignified and comprehensive support system for lone soldiers during and after their service.
- Encouraging and strengthening leadership and social responsibility among youth and young adults.
- Promoting ongoing and meaningful acts of mutual responsibility within Israeli society.
How It All Began
Ruach Nechona’s founder and CEO, Noam Avital (Captain, Res.), grew up in an Orthodox family as the seventh of eleven siblings.
At just 14 years old, Noam was forced to fend for himself, living on the streets of Jerusalem. This reality led him through difficult situations, extreme hardship, and a deep loss of trust in humanity.
Despite these struggles, Noam persevered and enlisted in the Elite Givati Reconnaissance Unit, serving as both a fighter and a commander. The army recognized him as a lone soldier, and during his service, he lived in an apartment with other soldiers, facing significant challenges along the way.
During Operation Protective Edge, Noam and his team were in a building struck by an RPG missile. He was injured and evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva.
When he woke up, he found himself surrounded by strangers—people who had come after hearing that a wounded lone soldier was hospitalized.
For the first time, Noam felt truly seen and cared for.
This moment changed everything. It inspired him to take action, leading him to create a social initiative:
a Facebook group called “Good People for Lone Soldiers”, aimed at supporting and providing essential aid to lone soldiers in need.
At the same time, Ofer Avidan and Mark Perlman, business partners, were struck by the stark gap among young recruits when they visited an IDF enlistment center. They noticed a group of excited teenagers, accompanied by their families and equipped with large backpacks filled with gear.
Right beside them, they saw other recruits carrying only plastic grocery bags.
This moment moved Ofer and Mark to take action. They began distributing backpacks to young recruits who lacked a strong support system. Over time, this initiative grew into what is now Ruach Nechona.
Years later, Noam and Ofer crossed paths, and their shared values and vision led Noam to join as CEO of the organization. Together, they built Ruach Nechona into the impactful force it remains today.