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I was so excited to board the EL AL flight that evening and delighted in settling down to read the special letters my family had given me to read on my journey over. My husband, sister and daughters all conveyed how very proud they were of me for dreaming this dream and following through. My oldest daughter Lauren was already in Israel but called to wish me a safe trip and to convey how anxious she was for me to visit her in the one place that she says nourishes her soul each summer. My daughter Jaime’s letter reminded me that although my trip was just beginning, it really emerged from my extreme determination to make this well thought out dream a reality. Jaime reminded me that although some told me this was a rash decision, those who knew me best understood that this was not at all rash, but rather a waking dream which had been brewing for years. My daughter Meredith, who volunteered with the Israeli Air Force last summer, was full of advice that made me chuckle as I read it. She wisely advised me to take every opportunity to meet and talk with as many people as possible, especially soldiers, because and I quote, “each of them will hold something that will help make you even better than you are today.” Ironically, when people tell me how wonderful it was that I went and what a great thing it was to do for Israel, my first thoughts are that they have it all wrong! I was the lucky one because Israel had given me the opportunity and the privilege to be a part of the amazing Israeli Defense Force. Reading Rabbi Gordis’ book, If a Place Can Make you Cry was the impetus for going to Israel as well the fact that all 3 of our daughters have had experiences with the IDF which they’ve raved about. This time it was me who wanted to follow in their footsteps. This extraordinary book left me with the feeling that sometimes it is more important to do what is meaningful; even if it means taking the riskier route. In the past four years, especially, people would say to me, “How can you let your daughters go to Israel now,” and I would always answer, “Are you kidding? I wish I was in the seat next to them!” After I made the final decision to go to Israel to do volunteer work and I began announcing it out loud, suddenly it became a reality and my plans started to easily fall into place. I knew the vow I made to help the Israeli Defense Force was out of my love for this country. I knew I couldn’t stay home and show my love by being silent and I learned ever so much more just how vast and deep the scope and implications of this vow would forever affect my life. Sar-El, is an Israeli acronym for service for Israel. I knew before I signed up for Sar-El that this would not be a vacation and I was certainly not going for the food or accommodations! I was expected to wear the IDF uniform, take orders, and work hard, but I was excited and ready. When I arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, the officer in charge of our group, was there waiting with other participants who were already there. When everyone arrived, we boarded the bus that took us to our base, our home for the next few weeks. I was delighted that our accommodations were better than I’d expected. Five of us were in one room in the barracks, and we were thrilled to have a very old air conditioner! Each morning began at seven with breakfast, and a flag raising ceremony. When I was asked to participate and personally raise the Israeli flag, there are no words which could even begin to describe the feelings I had, while many others watched this cherished moment. Then the officer in charge announced the morning news before assigning our jobs for the day. Since I was on a medical base, a group of us were assigned to go through hundreds of various medical supplies and sort through them by expiration date, before categorizing, counting, packaging and sealing packets ready for use, if needed, during combat. We handled such items as antidotes for nerve gas, emergency surgical instruments, tourniquets, and chest tubes. You might think this was a simple, mundane job, but when we were done, and we looked at all the neatly packed boxes, ready to go, we knew we had indeed accomplished a lot. The soldier in charge of us couldn’t thank us enough for coming to help. Some days I had kitchen duty, but even that was fun, learning their procedures and working side by side with other soldiers, whether it was doing dishes for the entire camp, or preparing the tables for the officers. Each week we were taken on an educational field trip. We visited the first neighborhood in Tel Aviv, and Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. We also had a lecture each evening on topics ranging from the cultural background of Ladino, to the up close and personal reaction of the Israelis when Rabin was assassinated. And so, in addition to all the other benefits derived from just being there, I also embarked on a great learning curve. One lecturer was Dr. Davidi, who founded Sar-El and who said that not only does our being in Israel raise the morale of Israelis, it also raised his own morale each time he spoke to a group that he knew gave up vacation days just to volunteer their time. Dr. Davidi, former head of the I.D.F. Paratrooper Corps., explained how Sar-El which is The National Project for Volunteers for Israel was founded as a non-profit, apolitical organization in the spring of 1983. In the summer of 1982, in the midst of the Galilee War, Golan Heights settlements faced the disastrous prospect of loosing their entire agricultural crop. Due to the acute manpower shortage, the unattended and already ripened crops luckily received the care and attention of 650 U.S. volunteers. Realizing the merits of their action, those first volunteers expressed the wish that the project continue. The main goal of Sar-El is to strengthen the bond and sense of solidarity between the Diaspora Jewry and the Jews living in Israel, as well as to return home as goodwill ambassadors for Israel. Volunteers from as many as 35 countries are now represented. In my group, there were people from Holland, Finland, South Africa, France and all parts of the United States, 1/2 were Jewish and half were not Jewish. Another evening we heard an inspirational lecture from a businessman who had worked on Wall Street until 9/11-at which pivotal moment he felt he needed to change his life direction and he moved to Israel. David Fink, a 30 year old who is now an officer in the IDF, opened our eyes to 10 ways in which we could help Israel upon our return home. This was not my first trip to Israel, but it surely was the most unique. When I tried to analyze why this trip felt so different, I think it had to do with this being my first trip since the Intifada which began 4 years ago. I realized how I did feel a little nervous that day before I left and yet how unbelievably safe I felt once I was there. I can’t begin to tell you how many Israelis thanked me for coming over this three week period. One of the most surprising inspirations I had on this trip came from an 87-year-old woman from New Jersey, who, since 1992, has volunteered for Sar-El-El eight weeks every summer, NOT the usual three. I will never forget Malka and she will always be my role model. Fran, too, was inspirational: an 80-year-old woman who volunteered this summer for the first time. Within the last six months she has lost both her husband and son. She felt that if she came and volunteered for Israel it would help her deal with her grief. She quickly became part of our little family and as the days progressed, her smile reappeared and she even laughed again. I know she was happy with her decision to volunteer, even though everyone told her she was crazy to do this. Debbie, a 23 year old, a recent Harvard graduate who is returning to Tufts University to begin her second year of medical school, came hoping to have an experience totally different from her intense academic life in Boston. Debbie brought us her youthful enthusiasm, and helped round out our family experience. Another personal benefit was the special relationship that developed between my sister-in-law and I as a direct result of experiencing this journey together. Life is like a hollow vessel waiting to be filled, otherwise it remains empty. After I went to the Sar-El website to learn more about this organization, I knew I wasn’t going to rest until I added this this incredible, unforgettable visit to Israel to my personal vessel. I do want to leave you with a quote from the letter our officer gave us during our concluding ceremony, when we were given our hats, shirts, certificate, and special Sar-El pin. “It is one thing to support Israel from your homes, but it’s quite another thing to come here and support Israel physically and mentally.” Linda Cohen |
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