Life in Israel

Early Life

Liron lived in the kibbutz with her family until she was 21. During her high school years, she lived on her own similar to a boarding house, but was still able to hop on a bike and go home. Living alone helped Liron learn to be independent and work independently, and while she was very attached to family, she was ready to start her own life. After graduating, she joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). In Israel, every citizen is required to join the military. In Liron's words, “Because it [the military] is mandatory, children always looked up to the young men and women in the army. As kids, they got to almost experience the same idea of choosing a job you want to grow up and do”.

More Photos from her Childhood

Liron (right of her mother) at the "kotel" – the Western Wall – in Israel, circa 1973

"I’m in my class at the kibbutz – 1st grade, looks like I’m working on a math book" -Liron

A Kibbutz is a type of settlement unique to Israel that is a utopian community that wants to achieve equal life for everyone. In Liron's case, it was very small and had a village like setting, like a farming community. Additionally, Liron's Grandfather founded the Kibbutz she used to live in.

Army Life

Liron said that “the army was an intense experience but wonderful, I wouldn't have it any other way.” She had aspirations to be in combative service: not entirely in combat, but in an area where it was present. When she received news that she was placed in the military police, she was devastated. She ended up being put in an investigative unit and learned how to be an officer, going into a second in command role in the only woman's prison in Israel for soldiers, not criminals.

Liron (second from the right) walking in the Israeli Defense Forces

Soldiers who were put in this prison were typically in for very minor crimes, and the prison acted more as a grounding than a punishment. Soldiers who smoked marijuana, soldiers who engaged in stealing, or those who didn't show up to the army were placed in prison. These were “not crimes that in the civil world would be considered crimes necessarily but in the army they are because everything is very strict” Liron said.

She was a social worker who brought imprisoned soldiers back to their base, saw if they needed anything, and helped get them off to a fresh start, and she loved doing it.

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