New Yorkers Margot and Glenn eloped to Israel to tie the knot, but did not realise they needed a minyan of ten men for the religious ceremony. So, at the last minute, they turned to Israel’s uniformed youngsters.

They issued a Facebook plea, via their wedding planner Adena Mark, for soldiers to make up the minyan. They appealed especially for “lone soldiers”, wanting to share the wedding feast with members of the army who do not have parents in Israel and therefore lack some of the home comforts that others enjoy.

“Lone soldiers responded so quickly, and made the simcha so special,” said Ms Mark, adding that they danced energetically and hoisted the bride and groom onto chairs, as well as reciting sheva brachot.

The bride and groom, both marrying for a second time, had decided to tie the knot in Israel without trying to transport their families to the wedding. Margot said: “We figured that we needed a minyan and we know that young men are always hungry — we have three sons between us — so who better to feed than the soldiers who keep our homeland safe.” In the end, “everything was perfect, especially the magical Jerusalem light”.

She added: “Even though we didn’t know our guests, it felt like we were surrounded by Jewish love and Jewish pride.”

As a regular visitor to Israel, she felt a connection with soldiers — even before they saved her big day: “I’ve travelled to Israel so many times, and when I see the soldiers, I feel like I owe them a debt of gratitude, especially lone soldiers who are serving as a personal choice.”

Karen Cinnamon, of the ‘Smashing the Glass’ wedding blog, first told the story of the wedding, writing that it “gave me goosebumps”.