What compels a young man from Long Island to leave behind the comforts of home and enlist in the Israel Defense Forces as a Lone Soldier? In this powerful episode of IsraelCast, Ira Kohler shares the extraordinary journey that took him from studying economics at the University of Delaware to serving in the IDF's elite 890th Paratroopers Battalion after making Aliyah in 2022. When Hamas launched its devastating October 7 attack, Ira found himself thrust into some of the war's fiercest fighting, including the battle for Kibbutz Be'eri, before spending more than 100 days operating inside Gaza. He reflects on the realities of combat, the bonds forged between soldiers, the sacrifices of those who fell—including his childhood friend Omer Neutra—and the enduring sense of purpose that carried him through war. Now back in the United States, Ira has transformed his experiences into his memoir, Once a Paratrooper, and has become a sought-after public speaker, sharing an intimate and deeply personal perspective on courage, service, resilience, and the profound connection between the Jewish people and Israel.
Ira Kohler served in the IDF’s 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. Originally from Long Island, New York, he attended the University of Delaware, where he earned a BA in Economics. Shortly after graduating, Ira made Aliyah and moved to Israel, enlisting in the IDF in January 2022 as a Lone Soldier. On October 7th, he found himself in the heart of Israel’s hardest battles, fighting in Kibbutz Be’eri. From there, he went on to serve over 100 days in the Gaza Strip. Upon completing his service, Ira returned to the United States, where he became a public speaker and wrote a memoir titled Once a Paratrooper.