Web posted Forum On-line Dec. 2002 issue

Loss Control Supervisor Mike Lowenstein wanted to do something to directly help the state of Israel during these trying times. So, he signed up for a five-day work week in the Israeli army, with little or no choice in work assignment, performing manual labor, outdoors in the full heat of the day - all at his own expense! (Sounds like he went to work for one of IWIF's construction contractors, but not so.)

Mike and his wife, Layne, have been involved with Israel's welfare for many years, giving of their time and energy. This year's effort had them participating in the Volunteers for Israel program, one that is loosely aligned with the Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. The Associated Jewish Community Federation is one of the organizations participating in the Maryland Charity Campaign of 2002. IWIF employees contribute generously each year to this campaign.

The Volunteers for Israel program is a non-profit, non-political, non-denominational program designed to "lighten the load" for overburdened Israeli soldiers by recruiting volunteers to perform tasks to help out the Israeli army. This allows the reservists to stay on-the-job, addressing the current manpower shortage in the Israeli army and ultimately aiding the Israeli economy as well. "The program is a big morale booster and is very much appreciated by the soldiers in particular, and by the Israeli citizens in general," said Mike.

On their most recent trip to Israel, in October/November 2002, Mike and Layne spent three weeks working at an army base near Tel Aviv. They donned khaki uniforms, worked long hours, and ate in the communal dining hall with the soldiers and other volunteers, many of whom were non-Jews from as far away as Scandinavia, South Africa, Poland, Holland, Germany, Canada and, of course, the U.S.

"We fixed field telephones, replaced and reassembled radio sets within helmets, assembled radio chassis with shock absorbers, built brick walkways, did gardening, sorted batteries for children's gas masks, cleaned latrines, etc.," explained Mike. "We derived a lot of satisfaction from the work. It was a nice change from office work, but extremely tiring at the end of a long day."

Asked if he was fearful to be in Israel what with the current political and religious tension in the Middle East, Mike replied, "I was not afraid, but I was cautious."Actually, this trip was Mike's tenth to the region, dating back to 1959 when he spent a year there. "Certainly I'll go back," he added.

Mike explained further: "It was just so important to us to be able to really help in some way, and this experience - as solidarity volunteers - gave us the chance to make some solid, tangible contributions to a cause that is very important to us. Freedom is something that's not just important to the Jewish people; freedom is important to everyone."

Mike Lowenstein, Loss Control Supervisor, and his wife, Layne, spent several weeks working in Israel this fall as part of a volunteer program. Mike and Layne repaired communications equipment and helped maintain the grounds at an Israeli army base outside Tel Aviv. Mike even brought along - and made good use of - his IWIF "Safety Saves" gloves. "We could have used many more pairs of Safety Saves gloves in Israel," he confided.