My Trip to Israel

by Andee Goldman 

I am grateful to be back from my trip to Israel.  It was fun, stressful, and educational.  As you are aware, I volunteered in the Israeli Army via a program called Sar-El (Volunteers for Israel).  I was so excited this was going to be my 3d annual time volunteering, that I said the wrong thing to the El Al agent when I was checking in.  Sometimes our foot goes into our mouth, this time I put both of my feet.  When asked why I was going to Israel, I said “I am volunteering in Israel.”  WHY?  “I enjoy helping Israel and I need some excitement in my life.”  Well, I did get some excitement. 

I was assigned to Matzlack in Be’er Sheva.  Sounds important??  It was a recycling parts base with civilians (who spoke no English), Russian volunteers (who spoke no English), and soldiers who guarded the base and worked in the kitchen.  There were 9 volunteers in my group and only one person spoke Hebrew.  Work instructions were, let’s say, hard to understand.  Pointing and speaking in Hebrew, followed with the word Besder (OK) did not work well.  The work we ending up doing was opening packages and sorting them by parts, sweeping warehouses, and office work.  The work was not exciting, but we all felt good that we were helping Israel.

Now as far as our accommodations – Five women sharing a room, sleeping on army cots, and sharing the bathroom facilities with the women soldiers.  Our uniforms were too big on us, the food was army food, one woman talked in her sleep, the nights were very cold, but the experience was wonderful. 

Some highlights –

I took the train from Be’er Sheva to Tel Aviv.  It was not your normal train ride.  I was lucky to get a seat.  Two young soldiers took care of me and made sure I got off at the correct station.  Stations were called out in Hebrew and my Hebrew is nil, nothing, nada.  They called me a “Polish Mother”.  Believe it or not – that is a compliment.  The definition is a woman who wants to take care of everyone and everything.

Now the train trip back to the base was awful.  Being a polite American, I did not push my way onto the train.  They closed the door and said another train would come in 5 minutes.  Now that was correct, another train did show up, but it was not going to Be’er Sheva.  Due to the removal of train tracks, my train did not show up for 1 ½ hours.  Yes, I got on the train.  I didn’t even have to pick up my heavy suitcase  – I was pushed onto the train.  My hour ride was sitting on my suitcase with the butt of an M16 in my back.  Let’s just say the train was overcrowded.  Since I was late and did not have a cell phone to contact the base, I was stuck at the train station.  Not knowing what to do, I just sat by the MacDonalds, crying.  Yes, tears caught the attention of  young soldiers and they contacted the base.  Since I arrived so late, I got stuck cleaning the three showers, two sinks, two toilets, bathroom floors, and barrack floors.  KP??

I found the Israelis to be very friendly.  In fact, I was going to help a college student purchase a book in English.  What we were looking at were books originally printed in Hebrew and translated to English.  Books are very expensive in Israel.  I guess her father took pity on me and purchased a book for me.  (That was after I told them about Sar-El).  Whenever I got lost (which was often), people helped me out.

Many of the soldiers talked to me about serving in the army.  Unlike American soldiers, they are not allowed to send e-mails about their service.  I would like to share some of my conversations. One soldier showed me a picture of how he looked a month ago - long hair.  He felt he had a duty to his country, but felt that he had to give up his rights to serve in the Army.  Another soldier was very angry that many religious Jews got out of the Army by going to Yeshivas.  Another soldier was finished with his 3 year service and signed up for another year.  Instead of working on a base, he wanted to serve in the West Bank.  I met with two of the soldiers that I worked with last year.  Both of them will be leaving the Army next year.  Usually when they leave the Army, they take a year off to travel or get use to civilian life.  Unlike our children who graduate high school and go directly to college, these young men and women start college later in life.

Every morning, we had to report to the flag rising with the soldiers.  Each volunteer had a turn to raise the Israeli flag.  On my last day, I was given the opportunity to speak to the soldiers.  It was interesting seeing them smiling at me and having my English translated into Hebrew.  Young men and women – some small, some big, some looked like “Cheerleaders” or “Football Players”, some looked liked your average American high school student.  I am very proud of all these young men and women who are trying to keep Israel a country for all Jews.

One of the soldiers asked me to write her a poem about – love, being soldiers, and missing each other.  

There once was a boy and girl,
Demetric and Alana were in love.
They cared for each other so very much,
Everyone could tell by the way they touched.
Duty to their country came before their love,
They had to ask each other was it fair?
Unfortunately, freedom comes at a cost,
As Israelis, they wanted to make sure Israel would not be lost.
The time they spent away from family and friends
Is just as hard as the work they do.
Life is not easy, but they will both succeed.
Remember your past, present and future,
You my dear children, are Israelis!!

My weekends were spent off the army base.  I went with 3 other women to Haifa.  If I were to write a story about the trip, it would be called “The 3 Sabras and Me”.  It was a lot of fun.  Haifa is a very unique city located in the North.  Israeli Arabs and Jews lived together.  While walking in the Friday marketplace, I could not tell the difference between an Arab and a  Jew.  We ate dinner in a Chinese restaurant.  It was very cold and windy in Haifa.  Even with gloves, hat, boots (2 pair of socks), I was so very, very cold.  Yes, we still took the City Guided Walking Tour.  The thing I will remember most about Haifa is the stairs from the top of the city, all the way down to the Sea.  The different neighborhoods, types of buildings – old, new, Arabic and non-Arabic.

My last weekend was spent was a religious family.  Yes, life was different.  Six children shared a room.  I also shared a room with a lodger.  Their tiny apartment did not have a dishwasher, computer or TV.  The streets were closed to traffic.  So many shuls in a small neighborhood.  The meals were wonderful.  Lots of singing. (They provided a book in English so I could understand what they were singing).  What a peaceful weekend!!  Children smiling, not yelling. I could not live that lifestyle, but it was interesting to participate.

I really enjoyed sharing my trip.

All the best,

Andee