Israel
UK-born IDF recruit is truly a model soldier
A former model and golf coach has turned his back on his former life, moved to Israel and joined the IDF
May 5, 2017 13:48
A former model and golf coach has turned his back on his former life, moved to Israel and joined the IDF
May 5, 2017 13:48A British model has swapped the catwalk for the parade ground by enlisting in the Israeli army.
James Hirshfield has modelled clothes for Hugo Boss and appeared on numerous billboards and in magazines.
If that were not glamorous enough, he also built up a parallel career as a professional golf coach in the United States.
But he gave it all up to make aliyah, and, since settling in Israel two years ago, he has been doing his best to join the IDF. It has not been straightforward however. His advancing years — he’s 31 — meant the army was reluctant to recruit him.
But thanks to his persistence, he has finally been admitted and has just started basic training.
He said the inspiration to become part of Israel’s military came during Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas in Gaza in 2014.
Before joining his unit, he told Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot: “I was working as a model in the US at the time, and there were constant reports against Israel.
“So I asked myself, how can I walk on red carpets while my people are at war? I felt that I had to immigrate and enlist.”
Originally from Elstree, Hertfordshire, James left home at 19, having landed a golf scholarship at a Florida university. He also pursued a modelling career with global agency BMG, which led to work for Hugo Boss.
As a serving soldier, Mr Hirshfield is not allowed to do press interviews. However, last week, at the start of his training, he updated his Facebook page by saying: “The last two days have been truly unreal. A whole new experience that words are hard to describe.”
Speaking from London, his father Ian told the JC: “I’m absolutely ecstatic for him, but also worried as a father obviously would be. Having said that, he made his own decision and I just wish him all the luck and health and happiness.”
Mr Hirshfield is not the first of his family to join up. His grandfather, Jules Konopinski, who is now 87, was a founding member of the 43 group, a Jewish organisation that waged war on Oswald Mosley’s fascists.
In 1948, Mr Konopinski made his way to the then Palestine to join the Palmach, the elite force of the Haganah, and fought on the Jerusalem Road during the War of Independence.
