By Moshe Larry Ginsburg

(Edited by Stacey Miller)

As an American Jew, I happen to share a love for two countries; the United States, and the homeland of our fathers and forefathers, Israel. And I more than most, can say fathers and forefathers quite literally. I shall explain. 

My father was born here in the United States, in New York City in 1921. My mother emigrated from Hungary in 1923 at the age of three months, when she arrived at Ellis Island with her parents. My father, served as a Chaplain, during World War Two, in the U.S. Army Air Corps, completing his service in 1949. He served as an orthodox Rabbi in the New York Area, until retiring, and living out his lifelong dream; moving to Jerusalem, Israel, with my two sisters and brother, thirty years ago. They all currently live in the Jerusalem area. 

A little over twenty five years ago, my older sister, and brother-in-law, Alex and Yehudit Gross, lost their oldest son Aharon, to terrorists in Hebron. He was eighteen years old, had just loaded a bus with children, and was waiting for a bus home, holding a Gemorrah (book of the Talmud) at a bus stop, on his way home from his Yeshiva, Shavvei Hevron, for Shabbat. Three terrorists stabbed him many, many times. He died in the hospital. The square where he was standing was named after him, with a monument raised there. It is called “Gross Square”. The terrorists were freed a few years later in a prisoner swap, and one became a tour guide, showing visitors where he helped kill an innocent Jewish boy. 

A few years ago, another nephew, with his wife and children, along with my older sister and brother-in law who stayed with them to give them moral support, were forcibly removed from their home in Morad, in Gush. They still have not been helped to resettle somewhere else, along with thousands of other Jews, as promised by the Israeli government. 

I have been visiting Israel for the last thirty years, both, to see my homeland, and visit with my family. The last six years, I have been bringing my grandchildren, according to their seniority of age, for three weeks, during the month of January. Because of the Kassam and Grad Rocket problem in Gaza, Sderot, Ashdod and Ashkelon this year, we decided that touring would not be proper or safe in all of the places we usually go.  

Since I was a teenager, I have always felt, and told my children that if I were alive during the Holocaust, I would hope that I would be amongst the people who became partisans. I always said, I would probably have been killed, but I would have taken a few Nazis with me. Being a sheep, walking to slaughter was not me. 

In 1967, I was 17 years old, still in high school. too young to go to Israel and help. In 1973, I was married, with children, with many responsibilities. In 2000-2002, I still had 2 of my 4 children at home, making sure I could put my kids thru school.  

Now…fast forward to 2009…Hamas firing rockets into Israel, from Gaza. My time to prove myself is here. I am now 59 years old, only one minor issue. Well, “minor” to me! I was diagnosed several years ago with MS (Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis). I spent time on the internet, and was intrigued by an organization named Sar-El. Working on an army base, would probably be the best thing I can do at this juncture of my life to help Israel. My other option was to go to Sderot and work in a hospital. The only problem was, because of my MS, my auto immune system is weak, but if Sar-El didn’t accept me, that was where I was going! 

I contacted the President of VFI (Volunteers for Israel), Vade Bolton, and told him my story. I was basically ready to go in a week. My ticket was issued months ago. The only problem I would have is walking a mile on uneven ground and up several flights of stairs. I also used a cane sometimes, depending on, basically, how I woke up. After hearing my story, Vade accepted me, pending receipt of a doctor's note, application, etc. I put everything on a fast track, getting all necessary documents and special travel insurance in a few days. I told Vade that he could use my story for public relations. A disabled man with MS volunteering for Sar-El! I told him that I believed “anything can be fixed, I had a gun carry permit, which I sent him a copy of, therefore, I had experience and could clean weapons. I told him that if he accepted me, I would raise the morale of volunteers and soldiers alike. That is what I do. A gift inherited from my father. I also promised him that if given this chance, I would make him and Sar-El proud! 

Some of the Sar-El management were concerned about the disabled “cane” situation, but since Vade accepted me, I was “in”. I vowed to show everyone, that I could produce as well as anyone else. 

I arrived on Friday morning, and spent Shabbat with my older sister and parents in Jerusalem. Sunday morning, I reported at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. No dates, times or places, as per Sar-El rules. Along with 14 men and women, out of over 300 people, we were sent to an army base. The others were also sent to other bases. The first thing when we arrived at the camp, our Madrichot, Liora and Michal showed us to the bunks. Separate of course…men and women. The soldiers, showers and lavatories were on the first floor, volunteers on the second. I was told by our Madrichot that they would get me a room on the first floor, but I respectfully refused. I wanted to be treated as all of the other volunteers, stay with my unit on the second floor. I stated that I would have it no other way! I met my three bunkmates, introduced myself to the others next door, unpacked, put my uniform on and reported to my Madrichot.  

By the way, after struggling up the stairs a few times, I became an expert. Because the showers and lavatories were downstairs, I was going up and down those stairs regularly I built muscles that I thought were gone for years. Thank you Sar-El! Walking on uneven ground…no major problem! Thank you Sar-El!

I was preparing belts with pockets for bandages, salves and medication. I prepared uniforms, and a multitude of different tasks. I opened, aired out and closed sleeping bags, working with other volunteers and older Russians, who also volunteered and worked from 9am to 11am.  I was able to converse with them in Yiddish.  I taught them how to make a “slip knot” which was 75% faster than the lasso knots they were making for years, to tie up uniforms and other paraphernalia for shipment to other bases. I also showed them how to change the sleeping bag job from a two person job, to a one person job, now doubling the output! I am not going to go over everything my group and I did at the base, however I accepted every task issued, and completed it.

Because of my experience as a former NYPD 1013 Chaplain, many volunteers, regardless of faith, came to me for advice, and talk about personal situations. I guess that was “extra credit”. A Chaplain must be non-denominational, and my personal belief is that of our sage Hillel. “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: that is the whole law: all the rest is interpretation.” We were initially instructed not to discuss religion or politics by our Madrichot. We kept to those rules.  

The entire experience was amazing. For the first time in my life, I was speechless. The people I met came from all walks of life. I am an orthodox Jew. My roommates were a retired forensic pathologist, a reform Jew, a 35 year old reform soon-to-be-married Wall Street turn around specialist, and a retired computer software and hardware specialist, with a Masters degree in Computers. He was not Jewish, and every time someone said a Hebrew word or term, I would swiftly translate to English out of respect. I was most proud, when he called me his “Rabbi” The group next door and across the field, were also a mixed group. Jews and non-Jews, however, we were all, above all, and quite literally, brothers and sisters, living together with one common mission. To be there to help Israel. There is no way for me to describe the love we developed for each other in such a short time. I have no doubt that all of them would do anything for me, as I would for any of them. They are indeed lifetime friends. No last names…and in no specific order…Chuck, Alex, Semadar, Bobby, Jim, Barry, Israel, who I became friends with immediately at the airport. He asked Pam if he could instead go to my base. She approved, and he would not let me carry my heavy bag. He picked my bunk for me, and tried to get me bunked downstairs, but I refused. As I said before…I was part of the unit. Continuing with our group, Aurelie, Erika, Esther and Gila. Some had been with Sar-El 3 times, some this being their first. We had indeed become a “band of brothers and sisters”.  I will never forget any of you! I only wish to be together on our next Sar-El trip, which will not be too distant in the future. 

Now, acharon, acharon chaviv! My madrichot. Liora and Michal. There are no words to describe them. On the fourth day, they asked me to raise the flag. Ordinarily, a soldier raised the flag, but they gave me this honor. Me…Raising the Flag of Israel in an Army Base. One of the proudest moments in my life. I raised the flag, stood at attention, and saluted the Flag of my country! What more is there? I was told by Sar-El returnees that many Madrichot gave out the work, and often disappeared. Liora and Michal were always there! You looked up, and there they were. All of the time, asking if all was okay. You would think that once everyone was placed at a job, they would disappear. But not the two of them. They were everywhere and oh so helpful. Before the conclusion of every meal, they checked that all was okay. They were more like sisters than anything else. Then again…They are sisters!! I’m thankful for having the army blessed with the two of them. On my last day, they gave me a present and a card that says all of their doubts (regarding me being disabled) disappeared the first day when they met me, and saw my performance. Michal asked me if I would officiate at her wedding.

The last evening we all met together…Many people that evening shocked and embarrassed me, by somehow talking of “my example” and how I touched them. They saw a man with no disability.  Jim, my Christian roommate said the most important part of his trip was finding and befriending his "Rabbi". A lot of tears and emotion. When my turn came, I told a story from the Talmud of a Rabbi traveling in the desert, and in his wandering, came upon a beautiful oasis. Besides a small river, there was a very shady fruit tree, from which he ate and slept under, enjoying both the shade and the fruit. Morning came, and he had a puzzling problem. He had to leave, but wanted to give a blessing, for enjoying the water, shade and fruit. He thought for a few moments and said, “ Oh wonderful tree, May all of your seedlings that drop over the years to the ground grow and become such a beautiful, shady great tree such as yourself, and have such wonderful sweet nourishing fruit as you! And this was my blessing to all of my Sar-El friends. May their children and grandchildren grow to be as wonderful, true, peaceful people as they are. I concluded with Jacob’s prayer in Hebrew and then English, to Joseph’s children, that the Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) say daily in Israel to this very day. I guess I broke that one rule about religion then, but how could a blessing hurt?

The last Thursday evening about 7 people went to Jerusalem. We met for dinner at a vegetarian restaurant (one of the volunteers ate only vegetarian). Michal showed with her fiancé, Eldar, also a wonderful young man. I am sure they will have a blessed marriage.  Eldar…Be good to my little sister!!! 

To conclude is quite an impossibility. I could go on and on. So all I can say is: To all of the friends, volunteers and workers in Sar-El; To the brothers and sisters that I have made on my trip. To Vade Bolton who took a chance to give me a chance; To Pam Lazarus who expedites the Israel side of the equation and is always available 24 hours a day, every day:

May the Almighty bless you and safeguard you;

May He illuminate his countenance for you and be gracious to you;

May He turn his countenance to you and establish for you peace.

With Love For Israel,

Shalom and Lehitraot!!! Goodbye, Peace, and See You!!