The Benji Hillman Foundation

The Benji Hillman Foundation (BHF) was founded in August 2006, in memory of Major Benji Hillman, who was killed in action during the 2006 Lebanon War. The Foundation's aims are to help lone combat soldiers and soldiers from deprived backgrounds in the Israel Defense Forces, both during and after their army service.

Benji Hillman

The foundation is named after the late Major Benji Hillman (1979–2006), a company commander in the elite Egoz Reconnaissance Unit, who was killed in Maroun al-Ras on 20 July leading his troops into battle. Hillman was regarded as having an unstinting sense of responsibility toward the soldiers under his command, particularly to lone soldiers.

Benji was born on 3 October 1979 in North West London to Judith and Danny Hillman. He had an older sister, Abigail and younger brother Shimon. His family emigrated to Israel in 1983 to Ra'anana. He attended the local primary school and then went to the Mechina in Kfar Sava and subsequently to the Midrashiya in Pardes Hanna. He also spent a year at Bnei David, the pre-military Yeshiva in Eli.

In 1998 he entered the army and was accepted to the Egoz Reconnaissance Unit. He was named outstanding soldier in basic training and in combat courses following. In 2000 he graduated from the officers' course with distinction and held positions in both Egoz and in the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion. In June 2006, less than a month before he was killed, he married his long-time girlfriend Ayala Borger.

The Foundation's projects

The Foundation , managed by Benji's first cousin Saul Rurka, is implementing a number of projects to make the lives of lone soldiers more comfortable, and to help them integrate into Israeli society.

"Lone soldiers" are young men and women, usually recent immigrants to Israel who are undertaking their mandatory service in the Israeli army. Lone soldiers often have no family in Israel, may barely speak the Hebrew language and in most cases have no place of their own to go when on leave from their army service.

The Foundation's flagship project, Habayit Shel Benji (Benji's Home), will provide general assistance, a warm bed, good food, a surrogate family (from members of local community - Raanana) and all the comforts of home for lone soldiers. The project will offer educational and vocational assistance to both lone soldiers resident in the house and to lone combat soldiers in general.

The Foundation has a yearly walkathon in Raanana to raise money for its causes.

External links

• The Jerusalem Post`s tribute to Benji`s life
• Haaretz National Paper talks about the importance of the Benji Hillman Foundation
• The Haaretz National Paper report on the annual Benji Hillman Foundation walk
• Maariv Online - NRG talks about the Foundation
• Foundation details from charitable foundations database
• The Raanana Municipality partners with The Benji Hillman Foundation for the annual walk
• Israeli Ministry of Defence - IDF Casualties, see July 20th