Sar-El Volunteers for Israel

Second Time Around Even More Rewarding Than First

In an article published by Hadassah Magazine in January 1985 American born Israeli writer Haim Chertok introduced me to the Hebrew word “miluim”, which translated means, “reserve duty.” In 1985 every able-bodied male Israeli military veteran under fifty-five years of age was required to report for miluim at least once annually. In times of national crisis miluim was often more than an annual occurrence and could last longer than a month. The average Israeli’s life was turned upside down during these periods and the process had a negative financial impact on society.

The former Commander of the IDF Paratrooper and Infantry Corps Brigadier Aharon Davidi devised a partial solution in the early 1980s called Sar-El, “The National Project for Volunteers for Israel.” The Sar El volunteers would come from outside of Israel and assume non-military roles within the IDF in place of reservists. This program would lessen the impact of “miluim” on the citizen soldier’s lives and the Israeli economy.

I heard about the Sar El program through a friend and I contacted their US based affiliate, “Volunteers for Israel.” My first volunteer experience with the IDF was in February 2008. My only financial commitment was the cost of my airfare. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport I met other Sar El volunteers and we were put on a bus for transportation to our assigned base. I worked in a supply warehouse packing duffels with uniforms, helmets, sleeping bags and other personal supplies. The volunteers in the program came from the United States, Norway, Ireland, and England. About a third were not Jewish, but came because they all felt a kinship for the Israeli people. Two thirds of the group was male and from 18 to 75 years old. Upon arrival at the base we were issued uniforms, sleeping bags and assigned a barracks where the men bunked downstairs and the women upstairs. The IDF provides English-speaking coordinators called “madrichot” to each group. These are young Israeli soldiers who act as liaison and troubleshooters throughout the volunteer experience. We ate in a mess hall with IDF soldiers and were required to stay on the base during the five-day workweek. There was a tremendous feeling of camaraderie as we worked alongside the IDF personnel.

There are two and three week programs run throughout the year and on occasion one for a week. The workweek ends on Thursday afternoon and most bases provide transportation to a central bus station in Tel Aviv. Volunteers have the option of staying in a Sar El guesthouse in Jaffa, visiting relatives and friends, or perhaps participating in a Sar El sponsored weekend program. The workweek begins again on Sunday morning and volunteers are provided transport back to their base from a central location in Tel Aviv. In 2008 over 5,000 Sar El volunteers arrived in Israel to perform non-paid and non-armed logistical, maintenance, supply or medical duty.

I have just returned from my second Sar El experience. In early January, due to the crisis in Gaza, the call went out to seasoned volunteers to return to Israel. Over 2,000 volunteers responded and hundreds arrived during January to perform their “miluim.” During my recent trip I assembled and packed first aid supplies. I worked alongside volunteers from Australia, Ireland, England, America, France, Holland and Belgium.

As long as its neighbors threaten Israel the need for volunteers will continue. I look forward to volunteering again; it’s such a rewarding experience!

However, giving our time and effort to Israel is only part of the formula that makes Sar-El an amazing organization. The people one meets and lives with is such an amazing part of the program. Many people stop reaching out to explore new friendships as they grow older. I have met some very new friends during both of my programs. We communicate weekly via e-mail, skype & phone calls. All of us keep asking the others when we can return to Israel. We will always try to answer the “call” when Sar-El needs us.

I want to also mention that the IDF leadership at (my base) was very welcoming & kind in expressing their gratitude to us. Some of the base personnel even invited us to share Shabbat at home with them!