Israel’s Defense: Reflecting, Rebuilding, and Renewing Our Purpose.

It’s been over a year since the tragedy of October 7th—a day that forever changed our lives. We lost our dear friend and roommate, David Newman, at the Nova massacre. His loss is deeply personal, but the heartbreak of October 7th resonates with every Israeli and Jew worldwide. There is still pain and grief, but a shared resilience has emerged.

Together, we’ve worked to honor David’s memory by building something he would be proud of: a renewed commitment to Israel’s defense. This mission is both deeply personal and unifying, driving us to create meaningful change for those fighting on the frontlines and for the families waiting for their loved ones to return home.

We will keep pushing forward. Our mission remains steadfast: to inspire pro-Israel engagement, enhance Israel’s defense capabilities, and uplift those impacted by the events of October 7th.

A Year of Impact: October to October

Supporting Israel’s Defense

One of our priorities was getting essential supplies and support to the 350,000 citizen soldiers called into service. Our Chief Operating Officer, Ike Bodner, recalls early in the war that his mother’s home was quickly turned into a makeshift distribution center, packed with gear collected from volunteers.

Within just a few days, our organization took shape and began to deliver what would become a lifeline for soldiers—our first cargo plane filled with gear and supplies. Over the past year, we've transported 225 tons of gear across dozens of flights and ships flights, reaching over 20,000 soldiers across 150+ IDF units, as well as supporting families in northern and southern communities deeply impacted by the conflict and those that have been removed from their homes. LDS is a movement powered by people working together to make a difference, an ever-growing community united by shared values and a commitment to change.

What began as a logistics operation to provide essential equipment has evolved into a hands-on, innovation-driven consultancy, advancing effective solutions with and for the IDF. Our latest initiative, The Sandbox, reflects this evolution.

The Sandbox: Accelerating Solutions and Cutting Bureaucratic Hurdles

Our new initiative, The Sandbox, enables us to act as a defense accelerator and consultancy for the IDF. We’re driven by a simple but ambitious goal: to help IDF units bypass traditional red tape and barriers. When units come to us, we provide financial, logistical, and technical design support to expedite prototypes to solutions that would typically take months—or years—to implement.

We work directly with the IDF's elite technological innovation division, to help bring cutting-edge solutions to every soldier who needs them.

Project Success Stories

1. Early Warning System
   Through our partnership with the army's Premier Technological Unit, we helped deploy an advanced sensor that provides 360-degree detection of incoming projectiles, offering invaluable early warning capabilities in high-risk zones. However, at the time of development, a critical component was holding up its deployment: approved tripods for field use. Waiting for approval meant the first ground troops to enter Lebanon wouldn’t have been able to use the warning system.
   We stepped in to fund and supply the tripods, ensuring the system’s deployment. The warning system has since proven life-saving for several IDF units, underscoring the impact of rapid, collaborative solutions.
   
   
2. Negev Adapter
   The Negev, a powerful machine gun, serves as a staple in IDF operations. However, its heat often damaged the PEQ-15 laser designator, increasing the risk of friendly fire during night missions. Our teammate Aiden Erez was a Negev handler during his time in the army, so leveraging our team’s technical expertise and close collaboration with the army's Premier Technological Unit, Aiden was able to research an alternative adapter piece that was sold locally; instead of needing to reverse engineer the problem.
   The adapter is able to reposition the PEQ-15 just centimeters away from the heat source, preventing damage. This small adjustment saved the IDF hundreds of thousands of dollars and significantly improved mission reliability.
   
   
3. Air Force Laser Tester Kits
   While visiting the Palmachim Air Force Base, we identified a need to reduce helicopter downtime caused by a limited number of laser testing kits. Helicopters must be grounded if their lasers aren’t certified operational, delaying essential missions. To address this, we replicated the existing laser tester kits with 3D printing and CNC machining, quickly creating additional units that allowed the Air Force to test lasers more efficiently and keep more helicopters mission-ready at any moment.
   Additionally, we worked with the IAF to develop and test a new part upgrade that balances durability with affordability for the Israel Air Force helicopters. These components are currently undergoing rigorous testing, and we anticipate significant operational improvements once they’re deployed.

Expanding Drone Training with LOTAR

Expanding Drone Training with LOTAR

Drones have become indispensable to modern defense, enabling reconnaissance in complex terrains or replacing the need for soldiers or dogs to search dangerous areas in person. In response to the events of October 7th, there was an urgent need for combat-trained drones and skilled pilots, LOTAR established a school to address these newfound requirements. Drones are the future of infantry-level defense: they’re cost-effective, sustainable, compact, easy to integrate, and maintainable. We partnered with LOTAR to maximize the impact that a donated drone can have.

Through this partnership, we’ve been able to support training that will strengthen Israel's security and also empower the individuals behind these missions. We deployed drones to over 50+ units and our connection with LOTAR grew unexpectedly but powerfully. One of our team members, Aiden Erez, underwent training to serve as a drone operator. Aiden’s journey has come full circle since his time as a young camper where he first learned about the IDF, leading to his eventual enlistment and service in the paratrooper brigade.

As a 10th-grade camper at Camp Ramah South in Georgia, Aiden first heard about the potential to serve in the IDF. Aiden was able to graduate high school a year early and decided to serve as a Lone Soldier. In the paratrooper brigade, he served under a Druze commander Jamal Abass who fell in Gaza. “Jamal was a friend and mentor, he opened my mind to perspectives I had never considered.”

After finishing his army service, Aiden returned to the States where he graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Management and Information Systems. “After graduation, I was at the beginning of my career path, and then the October 7th disaster happened. Within days, I started working with my friend Steve Eilat, a former U.S. Marine, to get urgently needed gear to my unit. In November, I asked my employer for a month off to go to Israel. During that time I met the guys at LDS and the chemistry just happened. I remember in the army getting up every morning with a deep sense of purpose. That’s what I felt with these guys. I got them, they got me.”

A few months after joining LDS, Steve’s son, Brody Eilat, raised $10,000 in the month before his bar mitzvah, by selling Bring Them Home Now pins. Brody is a drone enthusiast, and his money was used to purchase drones for LOTAR. Brody’s drones have already saved countless lives.

“In addition to coordinating our events for refugee families from the North, I’ve worked very closely with the LOTAR staff. Six months later, after having just been told that I may be serving in Lebanon next month, I’m not just working as the LDS point person with LOTAR, I’m being trained as a drone operator.”   

This partnership empowered soldiers and advanced Israel’s security, even as the program now transitions to new leadership within LOTAR.

Ongoing Initiatives: Scaling and Consulting for Greater Reach

While our Logistics and Acquisitions program laid the groundwork for our work, The Sandbox marks a new chapter of impact. As civilian consultants, we offer IDF units alternatives to time-intensive in-house development.

This work is only possible through the generous support of donors and partners. As we continue to expand the Sandbox, we invite you to be part of this journey. Your contributions directly enable projects like the Early Warning System, the Negev Adapter, and laser tester kits—projects that save lives and enhance mission success.

Together, We Move Forward

The journey of the past year has been one of heartbreak, hope, and resilience. LDS is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with purpose and determination. As we look ahead, we remain committed to our mission, to one another, and to creating a safer, more united future.

Thank you for standing with us, and thank you for believing in a cause greater than ourselves. Together, we’re doing something.

Join us in supporting Israel’s defense by learning more or contributing to this mission.