Most retirees choose to spend their summers in serenity - on the golf course, by the water, or in their backyard. For two or three weeks every summer, I abandon all of that, wear some khaki, work under the hot Israeli sun, and spend my nights sleeping on a cot in a barracks volunteering on an Israeli Defense Force base through Sar-El.

Of course, there are countless ways to contribute to Israel, but for 10 years, this has been my special, hands-on way of giving back to a country that has given us so much. I have now worked on eight different bases, and have performed tasks that range from painting a warehouse,  packing medical supplies into medics' field vests, fixing treads on armored personnel carriers, to working on a parachute base. Fortunately for the paratroopers, the volunteers did not fold the parachutes  -  but we did just about everything else. Jobs that we do, if not done by volunteers, would have to be done by reservists.

This year, I  spent the first three weeks of July working at the Beersheba  base. Our group of 12 volunteers consisted of eight Americans, three Torontonians and myself. Our base supplied tools and parts for cars, trucks, tanks and armored personnel carriers for other bases in the Southern Command. We worked in a warehouse sorting tools sold to Israel by American Forces, who were pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

What I like about the Sar-El experience is the opportunity to interact both with volunteers from around the world and with Israelis. Most bear with me as I practice my Hebrew, and I get to meet soldiers and officers, learn about Israeli life and work with a generation of young adults who are currently serving their country.

 

Sar-El, the organization that facilitates the placement of volunteers on IDF maintenance bases, has contact offices in many countries around the world. Volunteers generally go for two or three week placements, though there are also a couple of special one-week groups. Groups begin every three or four weeks throughout the year. Everything is organized, from airport pickup to assignment of duties and all meals and accommodations. The typical work week is Sunday afternoon through Thursday afternoon, at which point volunteers leave the base for the weekend to tour Israel or spend time with family or friends. (I generally took the weekends as an opportunity to sleep in a larger bed and treat myself to non-mess hall meals at some of Israel's delicious restaurants.)

Over the years, I have encouraged many friends to try the Sar-El experience and almost everyone has gone back to the program at least once. I look forward to participating in this program every year. It is my personal way of saying thank you to Israel.