Mitzvah v’Tikvah

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A Good Deed and Hope:

My Sar-El Experiences, Summer 2009

 

(A Speech given at the Beth El Synagogue by Myra Epstein from New Jersey)  

 

Shabbat Shalom.  I am honored to speak to you today.  My speech is a story about believing in Israel, mitzvot – good deeds – and tikvah – hope.  I am in love with all three!

 

It is significant that the Rabbi scheduled me to speak after the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – a time when we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future.  I will present my thoughts about my experiences performing mitzvot as a Sar El volunteer in the Israeli army this past summer. Sar El– Sherut l’Yisroel in Hebrew means Service to Israel. Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. The service of the Sar El volunteers brings hope for a better future for Israel.

 

On Rosh Hashanah the shofar heeds us not only to hear the silent cries of those in need, but also to hear the resonant call from Israel as this country continues to struggle in trying times from its many adversaries.

The shofar wakes us up from our self-absorption and encourages us to turn more to mitzvot – to help others -and tikvah…. hope and faith in our homeland and its future.

 

On Yom Kippur we read a prayer that asks God to give us the desire and strength to perform mitzvot and expresses our hope that God will bless the Land of Israel.

 

Sar El is a timeless story. When Israel needs us most, we can provide this faith, hope and inspiration by serving as volunteers in the IDF – Israel Defense Forces - and also fulfill our yearning to be involved in something greater than ourselves.

 

Sar El is about the power of volunteerism to help Israel triumph in this hostile world.  It is about the spark that lies within all of us to achieve one of life’s important purposes for Jews – to perform mitzvot.  With Sar El we do this in an extraordinary way!

 

The purpose of Volunteers for Israel, which is administered in Israel by Sar El, is to aid Israel though volunteer work on IDF bases.  The program is available to the young and the young-at-heart- ages 17 and up.  Volunteers perform various civilian, non-combatant duties that would otherwise have to be done by soldiers or reservists.

 

VFI’s history and growth are impressive.  In the summer of 1982, during the Peace for Galilee Operation, Israeli General Aharon Davidi conceived of a way to help relieve the critical manpower shortage in Israel.  He sent emissaries to the US to enlist volunteers to help harvest the crops on kibbutzim and keep the economy going while thousands of workers were away serving in the army.  More than 600 Americans responded immediately to that first call for help.  General Davidi’s experiment was such a great success that the program continued after that crisis passed.  After 1982, however, volunteers were placed on IDF bases.

 

Today it has expanded to include volunteers from not only the United States but countries all over the world. To date, more than 125,000 volunteers have participated. Volunteers made a difference in 1982, and they still do today.  Recently, the average number of volunteers each year is 4200.

 

The next time you hear the sound of the shofar, think of the wonderful sounds you can hear when you are a Sar El volunteer on an IDF base.  You hear…..

  • Sweet calls of boker tov, good morning in Hebrew, as the volunteers wake up at 6 am and get dressed in their army uniforms and prepare for a day of work.

  • Dishes rattling  … and many interesting conversations among the volunteers and soldiers as we eat our meals together in the base hadar ochel, dining room.

  • Commands in Hebrew - ahmohd dom - attention, and the proud singing of Hatikvah when we raise the flag with the soldiers at 7:30 am.

  • The madrichim (the soldier leaders for the volunteers) relating the Israeli and world news and offering words of encouragement as we start a day of work at our morning meeting after flag raising.

  • The warm greetings of our warehouse bosses as we arrive for work, including their constant expressions of appreciation – todah rabah, kol ha kavod – as they relate what work has to completed that day.

  • The words spoken among the volunteers that demonstrate our chevra or new community of friendship, unity of purpose, willingness to help, desire to make a difference, determined spirit of volunteering and our motivation to expend all of our energy on our assigned tasks.

  • The sighs of relief and satisfaction on very hot summer days - even after a long trek in the strong Israeli sun to the shekem, the base’s small store and cafe - when we sit and sip our cold drinks during the morning’s hafsakah - short break from work.

  • The conversations in Hebrew and English when the soldiers want to know why we come to volunteer and help Israel – and their subsequent expressions of awe, respect, wonder and appreciation for the way we support Israel, its people, and the IDF – todah rabah, kol ha kavod, ayzeh nechmad.  Thank you, all the honor to you, how wonderful!

  • The shouts of recognition from groups of volunteers sitting outside the barracks after work hours as they discover that they have friends in common from their home countries…. or their laughter as they share funny stories and jokes…or even the quiet sense of awe and admiration when volunteers share personal information about their pride in being Jewish or their fervor in their Zionism and love of Israel.

  • The hearty pats on the back and heartfelt applause as the madrichim present the volunteers with their dargot – the beautiful blue and white shoulder epaulets which we wear with great pride on our uniforms.

  • The warmth, joy and enthusiasm in the voices of the madrichim as they lead an evening program for the volunteers … and the noisy, enthusiastic participation of the group during an informative, educational or entertaining program at night.

  • The exclamations of amazement and wonder by the volunteers during a tiyul or tour provided by Sar El and the army when they gaze upon the beauty and majesty of Eretz Yisroel – which, I believe, shines brighter here than on any other place on the earth.

  • the eloquent words of a base commander who addresses the volunteers to express the gratitude of the IDF, the soldiers and the government of Israel for our generosity of time, support for the country, for the mitzvot we perform every day on the base and the tikvah we bring to the people of Israel.

  • The cries of joy and sadness on the last day of our service…when we leave the base and say lihitraot to our fellow volunteers and new friends, the madrichim, the soldiers and the bosses for whom we have worked – the chevra we will greatly miss.

These are the beautiful and memorable sounds of Sar El that stay with me and, I am sure, all volunteers until our next “tour of duty.”

 

The Sar El experience has impacted my life and the lives of countless volunteers.  It might be the time to impact on yours as well. This is the story of my personal journey, but it can be everyone’s journey.

 

The tikvah or hope for Israel’s future was so vividly and emotionally demonstrated to me in August 2009.  The soul, grace and humanity of the IDF shine forth in their exceptional and moving tribute to volunteers each year.  The IDF honors the volunteers from both Israel and all over the world with a large appreciation ceremony every summer.

 

I was fortunate to attend this beautiful program for the first time on August 6th along with several thousand other volunteers at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem.  I even sat in the front row because a wonderful friend of mine was being honored that night.

 

From the spirited performances by the Military Rabbinate Musical Band and the IDF Orchestra …and the singing of Hatikvah by all participants as a group of soldiers, proudly holding Israeli flags, marched into the auditorium…  to the eloquent speeches by commanders, senior officers and also General Aharon Davidi, the founder of Sar El

…from the presentation of special award certificates to individual volunteers and the most active bases in volunteering … to the movies illustrating the amazing enthusiasm of the volunteers in their diverse assignments…

my heart was pounding with pride and my spirit was soaring.  And again… it was the sound … this time … the sound of everyone singing, cheering and applauding.  I remember this so fondly!

 

Major General Dan Biton, the Head of Technological and Logistics Directorate in the IDF, who spoke at the ceremony, stated, “Volunteering is a value, an action done out of a person’s desire to help – without compensation – and – for a lofty aim.  You chose a way of life based on the value of volunteering.  This ceremony is meant to express our appreciation and thankfulness towards you.”

 

One of the recipients of a special award that night is here with us today.  I am proud to say that I have served in Sar El with my wonderful friend Ed Gordon.  He was most deserving of this recognition for his many, many years of service in Sar El and his dedication to the organization.

 

The tikvah or hope for the bright future of our beloved Israel is so distinctly and impressively illustrated in the IDF’s caring treatment of some special volunteers…and the reasons for this concern, understanding, compassion, sensitivity and kindness.  This humanity distinguishes the IDF and Israel from all other countries. 

 

I’ve worked several times beside the elderly men and women volunteers – oftentimes Russian immigrants – who the IDF has recruited as volunteers to give them a meaningful activity, two meals for the day they are on a base each week and an opportunity for friendly talk with the soldiers and the volunteers from Sar El.  The IDF has not forgotten the plight of those who live in poverty or with loneliness.  This volunteer program gives some elderly Israelis some hope in their lives!

 

Some Israeli volunteers are soldiers disabled in combat or parents of soldiers who have fallen in their brave service to their country.  Their lives were shattered.  For many of these Israelis, life became hopeless.  Only through their participation in the IDF volunteer program did they find new meaning in their lives, some peace for their minds and souls.  Their service gives them hope, a new promise for the future, a confidence that their lives matter, a purpose in life, and the friendship, comfort and reassurance of soldiers and other volunteers who can understand their pain and provide comfort.

 

A most heartwarming volunteer program of the IDF affords some special needs Israelis aged 18 to 21 an opportunity to serve as soldiers.   Israeli society values and respects service in the IDF.  The Israeli army has shown sensitivity to this group’s wish to contribute to their country by creating unique positions for these young citizens on certain bases.

 

This summer we met a young soldier with downs syndrome who was working in a warehouse alongside Sar El volunteers with a soldier assigned to mentor him.  This project gives hope and dignity to these Israelis who want to wear a uniform and contribute to the army with dignity and pride.

 

One of Israel’s hopes for survival is innovation. When you are concerned about survival, you think outside the box. I think this is one of the reasons for the creation of these volunteer programs in the IDF. The presence and support of these special volunteers and the Sar El volunteers enrich and enhance the IDF.  Our mitzvah of service brings them hope at a time when Israel often stands alone in the world. We stand with them! 

 

My service as a Sar El volunteer gives expression to my Zionism.  My volunteer work has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I am grateful for this unique opportunity.  As a Sar El volunteer, I have experienced a sense of pride and purpose that I cannot find elsewhere. 

 

At the core of our existence, we each seek personal connection and meaning in our lives.  My love of Israel and my participation in Sar El have fulfilled these needs for me. Sar El volunteering is an experience unlike any other.

 

We must continue to support Israel with words, generous donations, visits, and, perhaps, now, for some of you …. With the mitzvah of service as a Sar El volunteer.  The more Sar El volunteers supporting the IDF, the more tikvah – hope – and promise for the State of Israel.  Am Yisroel Chai!

 

If the soldiers of the IDF could sing with a collective voice, they might choose the words of a popular Josh Groban song to express what the efforts of Sar El and other volunteers mean to them:

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.

And I am strong, when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up, to more than I can be.

 

 

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