Summary
Ira Kohler longed to serve his people as a Lone Soldier in the IDF. At the age of twenty-one, he left his family in New York, moved to Israel, and enlisted in the 890th Battalion of the Paratrooper Brigade. But nothing could have prepared Ira for what was going to happen on October 7th to himself, his friends, and his community in Israel and back home in America…
….the capture of his close friend, Omer
…face-to-face combat against Hamas terrorists
…the scenes of the vicious massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri
…surviving a rocket hit on his helicopter while in mid-air
Once a Paratrooper is a revelatory, on-the-ground account of what it is like for a young American to be thrust into one of the world’s most complex and dangerous regions. It’s a story of bravery, sacrifice, loss, and of a Lone Soldier surviving to tell his story, and that of comrades, such as his friend Omer Neutra, who were killed in the protection of their homeland.
Author
Ira Kohler served in the IDF’s 890th Battalion of the Paratrooper Brigade. Originally from Plainview, Long Island, he attended the University of Delaware, graduating with a BA in Economics. Several months later, he moved to Israel. Serving as a Lone Soldier, Ira enlisted in January of 2022. On October 7th, he found himself in the heart of Israel’s hardest battles as he fought in Kibbutz Be’eri. From there, Ira went on to serve over 100 days inside the Gaza Strip. Upon completing his service, Ira moved back to the United States and became a noted public speaker.
Invite Ira for a
Book Event
Ira Kohler, author of Once a Paratrooper, shares a firsthand account of his service as a lone soldier in the IDF Paratroopers on October 7th and throughout the Gaza War. Through reading and conversation, Ira offers a powerful reflection on service, identity, and the lasting impact of war.
Available for book talks and community events.
Ira has spoken at over 65 different speaking engagements including:
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Jewish Federations
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Synagogues
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College Campuses
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Jewish Day Schools
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Youth Groups
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Major Jewish Organizations
Full list of upcoming and previous speaking engagements: