Co-host Monique Beadle sits down with Sergeant Major Ari Kalker, an IDF reservist who has served over 515 days of combat duty since October 7th. They discuss the tragic loss of his friend and brother in arms, Joshua Boone—a dedicated lone soldier and “sheepdog” who gave everything to protect his flock.
When Joshua succumbed to the invisible, mental wounds of war shortly after his reserve duty ended, the state classified him as a civilian, denying him official military recognition. Ari shares the inspiring story of how Joshua’s community stepped into the gap to give him a hero’s farewell.
This episode highlights the urgent need for systemic change. We explore the Jerusalem Institute of Justice’s ongoing battle in the Supreme Court and the Knesset to ensure mental injuries are treated with the same weight as physical ones, and how Ari is fighting to honor Joshua’s legacy through the proposed “Joshua Boone Law”.
01:35 Remembering Joshua Boone
04:32 360 Degree War Stress
12:55 A Citizen Led Military Funeral
17:11 Changing Israeli Law on Mental Injury
21:38 Post Traumatic Growth
Links & Resources:
- Support Ari Kalker: Vote for Ari as one of the Jerusalem Post’s Top 25 Vizionaries: https://top25vizionaries.com/vote/ari-kalker-mrw4lihl
- Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ): Discover more about our Wounded Soldiers Project, our legal advocacy, and how we fight shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel’s heroes: https://jij.org/help
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
