Liora Lubovitch Batan, 45, is a mother of three, with a son and a daughter currently serving in the IDF.
By Shula Rosen
When Israelis head off to fight with the IDF, their families back home fervently pray and often spend late nights worrying about the safety of their loved ones.
One mother with two soldiers serving in the IDF became weary of worrying and waiting, and she decided to enlist.
Liora Lubovitch Batan, 45, is a mother of three, with a son and a daughter currently serving in the IDF.
Not many Israelis choose to enlist in the reserves at the age of 45, but Lubovitch Batan is not an ordinary IDF mom. For the past year, she has served in logistics and combat support for the IDF forces in the north.
Despite the challenges, Batan finds that working alongside other soldiers is meaningful and rewarding.
Lubovitch Batan’s oldest son, 21, is a permanent officer; her 19-year-old daughter is part of the “Panther” Battalion of the Border Guard Corps, and her 16-year-old is enrolled in school.
Age and gender are not barriers to serving in the IDF, as seen in Batan’s case.
“Over the past year, our lives have been completely upended. None of us could have anticipated such a turn of events, and for this entire year, we’ve all faced pain and worry, both publicly and privately,” Lubovitch Batan said, explaining her decision.
“With two of my three children in the army and the loss of my livelihood, anxiety became a constant in my life. I realized I needed to take action—to focus on something practical rather than just dwelling on my fears. Volunteering has given me that outlet, allowing me to channel my energy into positive action rather than being consumed by worry.”