Sunday, December 22, 2002:
Israel called to me AGAIN! Though the country is preparing for consequences that may evolve from circumstances threatening war between Iraq and the United States and my friends and children requested I not go - my heart was crying to be in Israel NOW. Our flight on a totally filled Continental 777 (300 passenger) plane only took a little over 9 hours to reach Tel Aviv.

Monday, December 23, 2002:
Changed money to shekels and purchased a phone card. Our base is "Batzap 382" located 30 minutes from Tel Aviv. The base repairs and distributes electronic and transmitting devices. We arrived after dinner and were fed a snack of pomegranates, oranges, cheese and hummus. Met our two Madricha's (leaders) Natalie and Avigale (both beautiful) who will be in charge of our group. Briefing followed on procedure and routine and our quarters were assigned. My roomy is Dana from Chicago. Others were assigned 6 to a room. Our bathrooms and showers are located in another shed building where we walk outside. The best thing that happened today was we had HOT water to shower in. At 10:00 p.m. they knocked on our door to admit another volunteer to share our room. After scrambling around, redoing the sparse shelving and hanging space, Tamar (from Chicago) became our third roomy. I'm going to sleep. We have exercise class at 5:50 a. m.

Tuesday, December 24, 2002:
Our quarters consist of 4 cots (3 occupied), very little closet accommodations and no heater or toilet facilities. Dinner (lunch) is the meal of the day - lots of delicious vegetables, starch and 3 entrees. So, I opted to skip this "meal" and write a portion of this journal in a room belonging to another volunteer who has the luxury of a heater. The first time I've been warm in 24 hours. Normally, I would get into civvies, but the layers of my uniform afford more warmth.

Wednesday, December 25, 2002:
Exercise at 5:50 a.m., breakfast and 20 of us off by bus to Tezfrin (a base I had been to before) where we packed 4 huge pedestals of juicy juices and tons of cartons of various foodstuffs on a conveyor belt. These were to be distributed to soldiers for Sabbath who were not with their families (as they referred to it - "lonely soldiers"). A hot, delicious lunch was served us (picnic style). The young soldiers at our work station were so kind and courteous, joking around with me as their "Soffta" (grandma in Hebrew), providing food and drink. Work began at 8:00 a.m. and ended at 8:00 p.m. When we arrived at the base it was mandatory to attend a meeting with an I.D.F. (Israeli Defense Force) officer. Afterward, a real treat - delicious HOT chocolate from a vending machine and off to bed at 10:30 p.m. No rain today, a little sunshine, but cool.

Friday, December 27, 2002:
What an incredible day this was!!! After breakfast at 7:00 a.m. we left the base by bus with small overnight bag in hand. Visited David Ben Gurion's home (1st Prime Minister responsible for establishing the State of Israel) in Tel Aviv. The home contained 20,000 books, the majority of which Ben Gurion had actually read. He spoke 11 languages. A movie followed and all volunteers dispersed to their own chosen Sabbath destinations. Fern and I, along with Janet and Jerry and a few others walked to our hotel. Checked into the ADIV (a block from the Mediterranean). While in my room, the hotel delivered a basket containing assorted fresh fruit for their guests to enjoy on the Sabbath. Living in an army barracks sure makes you appreciate the simple things in life. Now for a good night's sleep!

Sunday, December 29, 2002:
Left Tel Aviv for base by cab to the bus station where we met our group and hence to the bus and base. Changed into uniform and back to working on helmets. The main officer came to our unit and thanked us for being here during this "war" time. He appreciated our efforts and how much we contribute to Israel. The Christian volunteers were invited to a special meeting with the President, Mr. Barak and Netanyahu. Both gentlemen spoke of their sincere appreciation for the volunteers coming and working in Israel in these troubled times and met, shook hands and spoke personally to the volunteers who attended. After work, took a shower, changed into civvies and heard a lecture from a native Israeli regarding his life and survival as a citizen of Israel. It was Avigale's (Madricha) birthday and gifts were given her. I had purchased a handcrafted ceramic flower in pot for her at the art show in Tel Aviv. Am going to bed early since our base computer is out of commission and I can't answer my e-mails. Just as well - - I'm really bushed!! It was a gorgeous warm day.

Wednesday, January 1, 2003:
This morning we were bussed to Yafne where the warehouse for gas masks is. Our group worked on masks for 3 to 8 year olds. People were working fast, furiously and fastidiously. There were volunteers from all bases; soldiers and people from all over the world, places in Russia I never knew existed and France. Lunch was served in heated containers - like our frozen dinners. At 3:00 p.m. sandwich snacks were served. Work ended at 4:00 p.m. and a speech of endless thank-you to we volunteers and presentation of pins (ROGM - Recycling of Gas Masks). Our bus was late and since I kept my sandwich for later, I opted to eat it on the bus as dinner. Back at the base, I changed into civvies and packed for our Jerusalem tour tomorrow and the luxury of my weekend hotel stay in Tel Aviv. There was a farewell party for the volunteers leaving after their 2-week program and for Natalie (our Madricka).

Monday, January 6, 2003:
Roll call at 6:50 a.m. and flag raising followed. This morning the flag was at half-mast because of the double bombings in Tel Aviv yesterday. The people of Israel are all one family and they are all in mourning at the loss of lives. Walked to breakfast, estimated the distance at ½ mile done 3 times a day, we walk 3 miles per day. All day we heard artillery fire and saw F-16's in the air. We were actually pushed today to prepare and repair helmets as quickly as possible. Our work team felt it was an urgency to have as many helmets for the soldiers as possible. Didn't go to the mess hall for supper - too tired and the menu isn't conducive to walking a mile for ingesting. Ate a tuna sandwich I purchased at the little WAVE store for supper. A Sarel representative (Rami Metza) spoke to us. He is in a wheelchair as a result of injuries suffered during his army service and the Lebanon war.

Wednesday, January 8, 2003:
My last official day at work although the group is to work a couple hours tomorrow - I retire this afternoon. On the way to work a young soldier yelled out "Soffta" (grandma in Hebrew) and presented me with a "bag" of chocolate milk. DEEELICIOUS. I kissed and thanked him and gleefully acknowledged my appreciation which met with applause and kisses from the rest of the soldiers. We worked furiously and finished all the helmets given us including rejected rejects. By 3:00 p.m. we scoured our work station and I packed and showered. At 6:00 p.m. we are having a Pizza and Falafel dinner, presentation of our Sarel shirts, caps and Volunteer Address List. The group will also present our gifts. Several of my work team decided we would entertain. So - we did 2 numbers. First, we marched into the lecture room in cadence and sang work related lines to 1,2,3,4: (Hut, hut, etc.) Our leader, Don, had no baton so he used a squeegee/handle.
I'm old and fat and out of shape
Put together with duct tape
But I can work here all day long
And still have breath to sing a song.

I don't know but I've been told
The SarEl chicks are kinda cold
The cots are hard but the food is great
I have to walk off what I ate.

We'd love to stay and help some more
But we're tired and kind of sore
We've scraped and painted all the parts
We love you guys - you're in our hearts.

Then, we did the following words to the tune of "12 days of Christmas":
8 Nights of Sar El-
On the 8 nights of SarEl our Madricha gave to us:
1 Sagging Mattress
2 Women's Bathrooms
3 Meals a Day
4 Miles a-walking
5 Roll Calls
6 Lectures a week
7 Warm Hotel Rooms
8 Helmet Workstations

The crowd was delighted.

Thursday, January 9, 2003:
Our last day at base. Lots of hugs, kisses and well wishes to all the remaining members of our program.

Sunday, January 12, 2003:
Boarded at midnight after having a thorough and exhaustive security check. Slept off and on and arrived in Newark where we deplaned, had to retrieve our luggage and once again go through security checks and declaration of goods. Finally checked the bags in once more and on to Detroit.

NOTES:
I feel fulfilled having brought the need to do something for and in Israel to fruition. This was the most difficult program of all programs for me to do. I'm sure age had a great deal to do with it. But, I thank G-d for his help in completing this mission. Israel is in the worst economic position if it's life. Shops are closing everywhere for lack of business, hotels are closing, buses go empty, cranes are at a standstill - my heart ached and tears came too easily and often. Tourism (the life blood of Israel) has come to almost a dead stop. I believe I read 90% of their tourism has been lost. If safety is a concern - I felt NO fear. Precaution and security made me feel as safe as a baby in its mother's arms. Israeli life goes on - they work, they shop, they frequent their cultural activities, they frequent restaurants, etc. Perhaps smoking and talking on their cell phones (because they do a lot of both) helps relieve the tension; but, LONG LIVE ISRAEL AND MAY THE LORD WATCH OVER HER AND HER PEOPLE!