My Sar-El Experience - December 2003

Supporting Israel is an important part of my life. However, for the past few years, after writing letters to the editor, sending money, speaking out, and attending pro-Israel rallies I knew I just had to do more. So, I joined the Israel Defense Forces!

Well, not exactly. In 1983, following the Galilee War, Sar-El (Sherut l' Yisrael or Service for Israel) was born. Initially created to assist with the harvest when reserves were mobilized, the program evolved and today places volunteers in the Israeli Military as civilian non-combatant volunteers. Although I had been to Israel three times, that was as a tourist and I knew I had to do more than just visit: I had to participate. So I volunteered.

It was 7 PM and dark when I landed in Israel. After retrieving my luggage at Ben Gurion airport (and getting sheklim at the ATM), I left the baggage claim area and was met in the arrival hall by two Sar-El representatives. These soldiers (madrichot - they were female) are assigned the job of supervising the Sar-El volunteers. I was quickly introduced to two other volunteers: Marilyn from Long Island and Cookie from Michigan who had also just arrived. We lugged our bags to a waiting van driven by a soldier, and off we went to our base.

On the way, I learned we would be stationed at Julis. Located northeast of Ashkelon, Julis serves as a repair base for tanks, trucks and motorized vehicles. After arriving at the base, we were dropped of by the barracks. We learned that about 12 other volunteers arrived that day, and after quickly securing our stuff, we were escorted (it's dark on the base at night!) to our club-house where we would meet our madrichim (one male, two females) as well as introduce ourselves to each other. (The soldiers who met us at Ben Gurion escorted us to the base but were not the ones assigned to stay with us at Julis.)

In turn, we introduced ourselves and stated a few sentences about why we were there spending part of December 2003 volunteering to work on an IDF base. Fascinating - almost all of us had the same or very similar reasons and I knew I was with friends! And, that's what happened. Within only a few days of sleeping, working, talking, eating and living together we became "old friends." I realized that in 24 hours I had learned more about my roommates than I knew about friends I have had at home for many years.

Our barracks were three stories with men mostly on the second floor and women mostly on the third floor. The women's bathroom was on the third floor and the men's on the second. The first floor was exclusively soldiers although they also occupied rooms on the second and third floors. Breakfast was at 7 AM so I was out of bed by 6:30 every morning. Announcements and flag raising were at 7:45 AM. After flag raising we got our work assignments. Some of us were assigned to stay on the base. Of those who spent the work-day on Julis some worked in the kitchen, others helped with disbursing uniforms, and others had the experience of laboring on, in, around and under tanks. (Sounds glamorous. It is! But you do get dirty!)

I joined a group that went - most days - to Gan Yavne to refit gas masks. We went with one of our madrichim by a special designated bus for the 20-minute ride to this facility. There we assisted soldiers in changing batteries, inspecting, and re-packing the masks. And, it is not just the Sar El volunteers and the soldiers who do this. Some days, we worked side-by-side doing this repetitive but necessary work with mentally challenged adults. This special Israeli program allows these individuals to get skills and experience and perhaps, most importantly feel great about themselves because they too have an important part to play in defending Israel.

We ate lunch at the gas mask facility. It was brought in pre-sealed in "airplane like" containers and was either a very tasty meat or vegetarian dish. We had a choice. Breakfast and dinner was at the base and was always dairy. (There was always enough to eat and one can actually gain weight at Sar-El if one doesn't exercise a bit of will-power.) On Thursday at the gas mask facility, the C.O. gave a d'var Torah on the upcoming Torah portion. What a great way to work and learn!

Nightly at the base we had a lecture. Sar El has special instructors and topics included the history of the IDF and insignias of the IDF, Israel's wars and well as a special talk by General Davidi - Sar El's founder - on terrorism. We also learned that the "IDF is non-political." We all had our opinions about the political situation - and had no hesitation about speaking out. But, during the official Sar El talks it was "just the facts" and not politics.

The workweek is Sunday through Friday and on the weekend I went to Jerusalem. On Friday, right after breakfast, our group of volunteers traveled in a special chartered bus accompanied by our madrichot to the Latrun tank museum. After seeing this moving and touching museum (a must see when you are in Israel!) the bus dropped us off in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, depending on one's weekend plans. About six of us intentionally stayed at the same hotel in Jerusalem and those without family in Jerusalem enjoyed Shabbat dinner together in the hotel. Also, by staying together, we were able to share a sherut (a large, shared taxi) back to the base on Sunday morning.

The second week went by too fast. By then, we all knew each other's personalities and quirks. We laughed a lot together and socialized more with the soldiers. We felt "at ease" and very comfortable walking around base in our uniforms. One afternoon, our base was visited by a large group of donors from the US and elsewhere. Although many of the donors in this tour-group were not Jewish, they are true Righteous Gentiles in that their love and support for Israel is heartfelt, sincere and accompanied by deeds. When they realized I was an American, (and kinda old to really be a soldier) we had some very profound conversations. I raved about the Sar-El program to a few couples I spoke with and thanked them - on behalf of Israel - for their support. (I think one couple, in particular, will be back as Sar-El volunteers.)

The best thing(s) about Sar El?

Getting out of your every-day "comfort zone" and meeting new people, doing work you would never do at home, and actively helping Israel. Unbelievably close contact (living, eating, talking and working) with young Israeli soldiers who are putting their lives on the line, every day. Your physical labor is important but the MORAL SUPPORT you will give to the Israelis you encounter is even more worthwhile. One day at the gas mask facility, a group of officers-in-training was touring. When they learned we were volunteers from abroad, one-by-one they shook our hands and thanked us for coming. Wow. We felt wonderful.

The worst thing about Sar El?

It ended too soon. I'll be back!

Geoffrey Greene, MD
Maryland, USA