Charedi volunteer in the IDF returns from US to serve after October 7

Hanoch Junik, a 38-year-old Charedi man who volunteered with the IDF and then returned to the United States, has now spent over 110 days in the reserves, while leaving a wife and six children behind in Brooklyn.

Junik had served as a volunteer in the Charedi "Netzach Yehudah" battalion but had since been taken off the list of reservists after moving back to the US and marrying.

When October 7 happened, he looked to see if he could serve and if he was needed. Junik posted on WhatsApp groups that he had 15 years' experience as a paramedic, though his certification was not accepted in Israel.

An officer soon got back to him and placed him as a reservist in the Samaria Territorial Brigade, where he has served ever since for almost four months.

The Rak Latet association helped him out with temporary lodgings during leave time so as not to burden his relatives, and two donors have paid for his family to come see him after over three months in uniform.