Lt. Col. Eran Karni: IDF Leader and BTJ Grad

From the breakout of Israel’s Swords of Iron War on October 7, 2023, IDF Lieutenant Colonel Eran Karni has directed the critical task to procure and provide all items needed to wage war. A top commander in the IDF Logistics Corps, Karni, 36, credits the inspiration of his Boys Town Jerusalem alma mater for his far-reaching abilities to carry out the essential mission.

The massive IDF call up was a logistical challenge

The reality of the extensive fighting and massive call-up of IDF reserve soldiers created immediate, unmatched logistics demands, Lt. Col. Karni noted in a recent visit to BTJ’s campus. “From providing fighters with weapons, tanks and ammunition, ceramic bulletproof vests and much more, we’ve made exhaustive, nonstop efforts.

Eran Karni credits his skills to learning at BTJ

Eran Karni began living and studying at BTJ in eighth grade. “My major in Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Technology involved mastering physics, robotics, chemistry, electronics, math and computer studies alongside intensive Jewish studies,” he recalled. “Our teachers pushed us to succeed, giving us inspiring, caring examples to live by.”

Karni has made a career for himself

Following his BTJ graduation in 2006, Eran enlisted in the IDF Logistics Corps, becoming an officer the following year. Since then, he has served and fought in military operations through the decades.

Today he is married with four children. Lt. Col. Karni’s visit to his alma mater came at the invitation of BTJ High School Principal IDF Major Doron Taib (a 1998 BTJ graduate), who serves in a Reserve unit under Lt. Col. Karni’s direct command.

The values he learned at BTJ were life changing

“Boys Town Jerusalem gave me very important values at a young age,” Lt. Col. Karni stressed. “Here, at such a critical point in life, my classmates and I gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed. The considerable investment BTJ donors have made in students’ lives has brought a remarkable return.”