It is one month since I arrived in Israel for the Sar-El experience. You know that all of us felt this was an important thing in our lives and the work of the madricha to look after us was much appreciated.

Now that we are back here everyone asks the same two questions: What did you do? Was it meaningful?

I tell them of working in a warehouse restocking shelves, I tell them how the officer was "joking with us... and told us to take the number, divide in 1/2 and multiply by 2 and put that many boxes on the shelf."  I tell them we all followed orders for an hour, until Linda came in and made us laugh... it is the same number. Restocking food was the important thing.

Sometimes I tell them how moving it was to handle sniper and armor jackets knowing they would be worn again soon defending the country.

I always tell them how we thought cleaning chairs would make it more cheerful for the soldiers.

Finally, I tell them how we were called to HELP. To help fold maps... and I who do not read Hebrew, speak Hebrew or know how to read a map was  given the perfect assignment. We learned that the maps of 2004 will mean a lot to field soldiers in the future. The maps from 1993, folded in the other room are too out of date.

On my last nine days in Israel, traveling with my husband, we saw Israeli friends and family. Some had never heard of SAR-EL... All those who had heard of it, spoke of appreciation for what the volunteers contribute. Our cousin who served in Lebanon last summer thanked me over and over for current maps. Our friend who had three members of his family in Lebanon last summer was not serving for the first time in his life, as he is 55. My base was his supply base. He called me twice to say thank you and your friends for coming to help us. Israelis get it. Volunteers DO make a difference.

I sincerely hope that the next group of Sar El and the group after that and all the groups thereafter can do work that they realize means a lot, even if they are not " busy busy busy."

Please send my regards to all the other madrichote  who made my trip go so well. It is something I will not forget, my family will not forget and my community will not forget. There are many ways to stand with and for Israel. This is am important way for those who choose to do it.

Shalom, Carol Hoffer

carol.hoffer@nmfn.com