(Leslie, left)

I followed the news, sometimes the developing news in the media and on all the Israeli and American web sites I could find, sometimes even at night and during the day. All the time praying that the list of casualties should be small. We attended all the rallies, started or joined e-mail and letter writing campaigns and encouraged everyone to buy Israeli products.

I was still not satisfied that I had done enough and the thought that I could and should do more kept nagging at me. Long by this time I was looking for more concrete ways to support Israel. There were groups and organizations and debating societies who all supported Israel. Most if not all extolled admirable hyperbole and some even sent volunteers to Israel. But when I applied to a few of these groups to volunteer, the entire procedure got mired down in waiting lists, deadlines, e-mail and telephone messages and lack of ability to speak with actual organizers. Deadlines came and went and so did the months of waiting to be called or to receive instructions on where, how, when and to whom to report. As the situation in Israel did not improve, my ambition to go and/or  to do something became more intense. I felt that I had something to offer, I just needed to grasp the opportunity. As it turned out, I just did not know where to go and with whom I should speak.

In a sudden attack of inspiration, I turned to Google one night and instituted a search for “Israel Volunteer”. I found VFI, Volunteers for Israel, (a division of Sar-El and the IDF) of whom I have never heard. Not even the Israeli consulate told me about them when I called to find out how I could volunteer or what opportunities for service exists. Sar-El has been around for about 20 years and is a regulated, structured, well-organized part of the Israel Defense  Establishment.

Sar-El is global in their outreach to people who want to do volunteer work for the State of Israel. There are representative Sar-El offices in NY, the US, Canada, all over Europe, South Africa, Australia and South America. I requested and received an application kit with all the information about Sar-El and the volunteering process. The kit contained everything I needed to do and information I had to provide to be accepted into the program. I had to supply two letters of recommendations, medical insurance forms, the normal things. I also had to choose the dates when these service periods started and whether I wanted a two week, three week or more involved program. I also had to go to their office in the City for a personal interview. There, they asked me why I wanted to do this. Sar-El obviously has a mechanism in place to weed out undesirable individuals or people who may have hidden agendas. There is a definite concern about individuals who may want to perform missionary work. In fact, they warned me that if it came to their attention that I was proselytizing to anyone, I would be placed on the next plane out of Israel.

Basically, here is how the program works. Once you are approved and registered you choose the date available which suits you, buy your airline ticket and fly to Israel. You will be picked up at the airport by a soldier (usually a girl) and driven to an IDF base. You will not be told which one for security reasons. Once in that base, you will be assigned a bunk in a room with 6-8 other volunteers. Men and women are separated, of course.

You will meet your “Madricha” who will be you boss and who will assist you with special requests and problems. You will be given and IDF uniform which you will have to wear on the base and you will be assigned the work the IDF wants you to do. You will also meet your fellow volunteers from around the world with whom a fast and hopefully long lasting friendship will be established.

I was astounded by the variety of people who volunteer for Israel. The oldest was 75 from Australia. The youngest was 22 from Canada. There was a married couple from Amsterdam and a judge from rural Mississippi. A bank President from El Paso and a criminal lawyer from Dade County, Florida. A retired US Marine and a computer programmer from Australia. A Harley Davidson Mechanic from Hungary and a Russian expatriate from Denver. A hippie with hair down to his waist (which he had cut so we did not recognize him) and a law school graduate who wanted to volunteer before he started his law career. A social worker from Copenhagen and the wife of a scientist who works in Tel Aviv. There were about 44 of us, all with the desire to help and be useful. Some volunteers came back on a regular basis, year after year. Most volunteers were NOT Jewish. But the commitment and the dedication of the gentiles were genuine and nothing short of amazing. In fact, during a break one day, I asked one of the Dutch gentiles I became friendly with why she volunteered. She pointed to heaven and said without hesitation: “Hashem sent me!” I was amazed at her statement and display  of solidarity with the Jewish people. But maybe because I am Second Generation or because I’m from New York, I had to wonder with a tinge of suspicion that there had to be an ulterior motive behind the presence of so many Gentiles who volunteered to work for Israel. One thing is for certain. They were there and worked with the rest of us. And work we did.

The type of work we had to do fell into the promise made to us during the interviewing process. They said that it would be “ hard, useful and important” They left out “meticulous” and sometimes “tedious”. However, the kind of work which had to be done was ideally suited for the dedication of the volunteers. We had our hearts and souls into it. For example, during the assembly of medical emergency kits, one of us had to check the expiration dates and lot numbers of thousands of vials of saline solutions. Seems like a mundane task until you consider the real life scenario: Saline solutions are injected into severely wounded soldiers and victims of accidents or terrorism and are also used in the process to dress wounds. I do not want to contemplate the effects of the use of expired solutions. I also believe that this kind of work was given to us because other personnel could not or would not perform it with the conscientiousness of the volunteers. Other people were replacing antidotes used against one kind of chemical warfare with a newer antidote, which was effective against three types of chemical poisons.

I know that some of us were also assembling large crates the contents of which were to be used against biological warfare. The thing to keep in mind is that this work was done on one base, which was obviously for the purpose of equipping the IDF with the medical kits needed to handle medical emergencies.

Other volunteers on other bases have different jobs and functions. There are food-related bases, armor, air force and naval bases, which are all equipped  and set up for the Sar El volunteers. The work we do is very much needed by the IDF and it is also appreciated.

All was not work, however. Our “counselors” or Madrichas were very friendly and helpful. Real down to earth people with nice attitudes. There were trips after work or on odd days  to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Rishon Letzion and Latrun on air-conditioned tour buses. Also some presentations and lectures on the base. We had a good time with new friends on these trips.  The work was pretty hard sometimes but the environment was pleasant. We ended up talking and planning about volunteering again and having reunions.  

I mentioned the reasons why I and many of us volunteered. An interesting and completely surprising side effect of our presence in Israel became very soon apparent. We all know that the Israeli tourism industry is badly suffering these days due to Palestinian terrorism. The number of tourists has dramatically dropped. There are signs in the windows of shops in the Ben Yehuda mall promising big discounts to brave tourists  Many restaurants are closed or out of business as are many establishments, which normally cater to tourists. The atmosphere is generally depressing with people painfully resigned, at least that is how I saw it.

On one of our outings we struck up a conversation with an Israeli in a mall just outside of Jerusalem. He asked us if we were tourists. I told him no, we were all volunteers working for the IDF. If you could see the expression on this man’s face when he heard that the 6 or 7 of us there were all volunteers, you would immediately understand the payment we received for our presence. The anxiety of being alone and abandoned by the world was replaced in his eyes with a glow of relief and gratitude that you had to see because it is almost impossible to describe. His thanking us was so profuse, with tears in his eyes, that it became almost embarrassing. It turned out that this man’s gratitude was not isolated. Many others also expressed the same relief and gratitude because our presence as volunteers in Israel at such a bad and dangerous time was a sign that they were not abandoned and alone. Anyway the Israelis are looking for signs that they are not alone and we became instant celebrities of sorts. Thereafter we missed no opportunity to tell the Israelis who asked why we were there. And many asked.

If I wondered before for whose benefit I came to Israel I became convinced real quick that it was not to reduce my level of anxiety and helplessness for not being able to do much more back home to help. My prayers for an opportunity to contribute were answered though not at all the way I imagined. Sure, the work in the IDF camp was useful, hard and important. They promised me that. I also got a kick out of wearing a uniform and playing soldier for a few weeks with the other mostly middle-aged volunteers. The real payback came in the reassurance, measure of comfort and support the Israelis said they received by our presence. It cannot be measured on a scale. You had to see it in their eyes.

Had I known about the Sar El program and that in a small but measured way what a difference my and our presence would mean to the Israelis, I would have come much sooner. If someone asked me to name some of the most meaningful experiences in my life, I will have to number my stint in the Sar El highly among them. I will definitely go back and volunteer again.

Sar El (the IDF) needs volunteers. I just received  communication from them that the IDF needs 80 people for 3 months to do something vitally important. I am not privy as to what and where but I can assure you the work will be suited to Sar El personnel. Volunteers would be trained in what they would have to do just as we were trained. As of now Sar El can spare only 25 because they cannot strip their manpower from other bases to answer this need. I have also volunteered my efforts to represent Sar El in Staten Island and surroundings as all veterans are asked to contribute what they can after they come back. I will be able to provide any interested person  with all the information and paperwork necessary to become a volunteer for the IDF. The most important requirements are Ahavas Yisrael and a willingness to help. You don’t have to be very young or very strong. The two oldest members of our group, Betty from South Africa, age 70 and Harold from Australia, age 75 did exemplary work. They even received applause. The Orthodox community, however, is a little underrepresented. There is a beautiful and usually fairly large Shul on every base. The food is, of course, 100% Mehadrin Kosher. The work is scheduled from Sunday AM to Friday noon and there is never a conflict between observance and service, even if you want to go to Eilat for Shabbos. And since all of us were provided with a temporary pass, we could come and go to our base after work if we wished.

The food was OK, though nothing to write home about. The communal bathrooms and showers (on our base) were very functional. The bunks where we slept were air-conditioned but Spartan. The uniforms were very comfortable, really. The IDF issue boots were a little heavy. Some of us wore sneakers. I think that every effort to make us look like real soldiers were doomed from the start. However, the enthusiasm we brought to our work and the comradiere, which developed, were priceless. So was the pat on the back when we received our pins and certificates when our tour of duty was over. Nobody who served in the IDF as a Sar El volunteer will ever forget it. The problem is that this wonderful opportunity is not commonly known. I never heard of it and I am surprised at how few other people are aware of it’s existence. Hopefully this will change. Certainly, I will do whatever I can to help and I am available to anyone who needs information about Sar-El. In case I don’t have the answers to your questions, I will know who to turn to or refer you to for help. Now go and do your thing! Israel is waiting for you and there will never be a better time to volunteer and be useful. –

Shalom

Leslie A. Sternberg