By
Suzanne Freedman
Check List: Pillow, torch (because loos might be some distance away), mosquito repellent, rubber gloves, washing line, padlock, ear plugs, medium weight socks to go under work boots (provided) etc.
Not the usual holiday packing list, but required for my Sar-El experience in May 2006. What is Sar-El? An organisation which enables volunteers ( and even of a more mature age) to have a small taste of what it is like to work on an Israeli army base. Not everyone’s idea of a good holiday? Maybe not, but for me it was an invaluable time, being there, taking part, working a full day, meeting young Israeli soldiers and getting along with a motley crew of other individuals, (would have made an interesting Jewish reality show). Some of the volunteers had returned year after year, others like myself were novices, wondering what was in store for me.
The locality of the base is not known in advance for security reasons, but I was fortunate to be in what was described as a 5* one – I may not be so lucky next time.
The heat, the basic conditions, the sleep deprivation (shared accommodation and the inevitable snorer) were minor inconveniences and were counterbalanced by the opportunity to sample life on a base, albeit for a mere blink of an eye, to meet young Israeli soldiers doing their training and to have some laughs and lots of fun. We all wore full uniform, boots, hat etc, and this was a sight to behold. (Private viewing of photos available).
Our work was not earth shattering, nor did we feel we were “saving Israel”, but we worked in I.D.F. warehouses, checking, repacking and cataloguing supplies, dining room duties, or general maintenance work. However, the feeling of working together as a group was overwhelming. We all got on, despite our various backgrounds and countries of origin. We did share a common language, although this was a debatable point with our American workmates! We had two charming “Madrichot”, young Israeli soldiers who did an admirable job in keeping us up to date, up to speed and up in the mornings!
Most of us sandwiched the experience with visits to friends or relatives, or a couple of days in Tel Aviv in one of the Sar-El sponsored hotels. I must admit that “re-entering” the real and normal world, was a rude awakening, although one could ask whether Israeli life constitutes ‘normality’ in the true sense, bearing in mind the underlying threat every citizen is living under. I have to say, that despite not speaking a word of Ivrit (shame on me), I had a great feeling of belonging as well as respect for the general way Israelis get on with their lives, at the same time longing for the normality which we all take for granted here.
For those who would like more information, you can look at the Sar-El.org website where you can read about its history and its goals or contact me for more personal comments.. Perhaps see you on the next trip!
Suzanne Freedman