Soldier serving in the Israel Defense Forces surprises parents

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A local man who is serving with the Israel Defense Forces surprised his parents Wednesday night.

Amir and Stacey Goldman of Merion Station got a huge surprise in front of 800 others. Their son, 21-year-old Matan, who with about 800 other young men and women is serving in the Israel Defense Forces. There are currently more than 3,000 foreign-born soldiers from 75 countries serving in the IDF.

Wednesday's fundraiser by the local chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces raises money to help soldiers like Matan with college scholarships and living expenses.

And, unbeknownst to the Goldmans, they flew Matan home for Wednesday's event.

Part of his childhood was spent in Israel. What makes him want to serve?

"I definitely felt more of a purpose in being in the Army and really defending the Jewish people," he said.