|
 My
first connection
with Israel was
through an ICEJ tour
(International
Christian Embassy of
Jerusalem). There a fellow
Canadian told me
he'd been a civilian
volunteer with the
Israel Defense
Forces (IDF) - via
Sar-El.
The following year,
I arrived on my
first base, donning
the uniform, living
in army barracks.
Now I've served a
total of ten weeks
on four bases, each
time with superb
Madrichot: soldiers
who supervise
international
volunteers. Gisella
Buehler of
Switzerland
observed: "The
volunteers during my
service came from
nine different
nations, French,
Swiss, Finnish,
Dutch, German,
Hungarian, South
African, Ukrainian,
RussianCanadian
and a big number
from the United
States, Jews and
Christians, all
united!"
Above: One of the
rooms in the Sar-El
barracks.
(Photo: Charles)
A real sense of
camaraderie
developed,
sharing both
laughter and
tears. When the
news came that
soldiers from
our base had
been injured,
there was a
shared grief
that it happened
to our own. From
Sunday to
Thursday we
provided
practical
assistance:
cleaning,
oiling, and
painting
equipment;
sorting and
packing kit
bags, protective
and medical
supplies; and
refurbishing
donated tools.
As one commander
explained, we
were helping
them re-organize
after the last
war, and get
ready for the
next
one...whenever
that would be.
But as much as
our labor was
appreciated, a
commander
remarked that it
was our presence
that greatly
encouraged them,
knowing there
are people
around the world
who stand with
Israel.
Complementing
the assignments
were evening
activities where
we learned more
about the
history of the
IDF, the Sar-El
organization
(started in 1982
by General
Davidi), as well
as the Hebrew
language and
culture. Our
Madrichot even
took us on
educational
outings, such as
to Palmach
Museum or
Independence
Hall in Tel
Aviv. We ate as
the soldiers
ate, including
lots of boiled
eggs, bread with
cheese spread or
humus; and we
drank as the
soldiers drank -
lots of mayim
(water)! I
communicated in
a mixture of
broken Hebrew,
French, and
English.
Given that some
of the bases are
more rustic than
others, what is
it that draws
people of
various ages and
backgrounds to
come alongside
and support
Israel this way?
We've had mother
and son, father
and daughter,
and brothers all
come together.
Those
experiencing
Sar-El for the
first time meet
veterans who
have returned
numerous times.
Harry Morrow of
the USA humbly
remarked: "We
gave so little
in comparison to
how much we
received from
the IDF."
For me
personally, it's
the people who
make Sar-El what
it is; a chance
to identify in a
unique way with
what the people
of this land
face. "As
non-Jewish
Israel
supporters we
were delighted
that the IDF
volunteer
program gave us
the opportunity
to come and
serve in a
practical way.
Thanks for
making it
possible to see
your land and
meet your people
over a longer
period than a
tourist tour
would have
allowed,"
remarked
Christine
Reynolds and her
son Timothy of
New Zealand.
One of the
strongest points
of
identification
came when a
Jewish brother
and myself had
the honor of
taking a turn
with the
soldiers
guarding the
vigil candle the
eve of Yom
Hazikaron
(Memorial Day).
Ned Bloom of the
U.S.
acknowledged the
reality of army
conditions, yet
referred to
Sar-El: "...it's
the time of your
life!" Another
American
volunteer was
moved to tears
of gratitude
from all she's
learned from her
new Jewish
friends.
As a Christian
with a strong
sense of
identification
with the Jewish
people, I was
blessed when one
of my barrack
mates, Renee
Siegel, told me
she considered
me an "honorary
member of the
tribe"!
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