Dear anyone considering volunteering,
Thank-you for the opportunity to volunteer and be part of the group that helped at the Batzap Military base in Israel. I would like to share my experience with others considering volunteering.
My name is Ken Dion and I live in Scottsdale Arizona. I am married and am very appreciative of my wife’s support and understanding in allowing me to go to Israel December 10th-28th 2005 as a volunteer for Israel thru Sar-El.
My first visit to Israel was March of 2005 with my wife. We toured for 10 days visiting the sights and with an Israeli guide. It took 3 years to convince my wife that it was safe enough to go. We never had any fear and both of us felt very secure. Israel is magical and I felt the connection and better understood about my Jewish roots.
When I returned from Israel I found out about Sar-El and felt that I too could volunteer. I felt that I would like to make a difference. I was not sure how but I was willing to give up 3 weeks of my life to help Israel no mater what they asked me to do. I am 58 years old and have spent most of my life doing things for myself. I could not stand by reading about the problems Israel faced, and its desire for everlasting peace, and not some how get involved.
Sar El representatives told me what to expect and what to bring. I chose December as the best time for me to take 3 weeks off from work. I was met by Pamela Lazarus the Sar El program coordinator at the airport in Israel. Other volunteers were also there. We were then taken to the base and given something to eat as well as being filled in as to the next weeks to come.
The information that I was given before coming was very helpful and clearly explained to me what to bring and what to expect. I was told that the work week starts Sunday and ends Thursday. The Volunteers had to be off the base from Thursday night till Sunday morning. We were also made aware of the optional tours available for the time off during the Thursday night thru Sunday morning.
When I arrived in Israel I was given a list of hotels that I could stay at a significant reduced price for Sar-El volunteers for the week ends, along with phone numbers and was told that when I decide where to stay that one of the madrichots would help in making the arrangements.
We were then taken to our sleeping areas and I had a chance to meet my roommates. The sleeping quarters were exactly what I expected- small but I had everything I needed. I was there to work and learn. The next morning I showered in a building close to my sleeping area and got dressed for breakfast and all of us volunteers walked to the mess hall for breakfast. We had plenty of fresh food always- fruits and vegetables at every meal. I wanted to come back a few pounds lighter and found it difficult.
We then were issued our military clothing. Now I was starting to feel part of the IDF Israel Defense Force. We were taken to our assigned areas for our work assignment. Our typical day went like this:
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:15 AM Flag raising
8:30 AM News of the day then to work
10:00 AM half hour break
11:45 AM go to lunch
1:00 PM return to work
2:30 PM 15 Min break
4:30-5:00 PM back to our quarters
6:00 PM Dinner
7:15 PM Guest speaker or teaching program
8:30 PM Finished for the day
I never missed the TV, phone, or any other distraction I was used to at home. What I had gained is the opportunity to meet 22 other volunteers and we shared who we are and why we were there. What a diverse group- all ages from 17 to over 80. Many women, people from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Romania, Germany, France and Israel. Our group was not just Jewish but also some Christians. Everyone was welcome and treated equally by all.
Each morning when we lined up for flag raising a volunteer was selected to raise the flag. When it was my turn I could not help but cry. What an honor; what a feeling. I can’t explain but most people felt the same way.
During my 3 weeks as a volunteer, I always felt appreciated by the Israeli soldiers. I always felt needed and fulfilled knowing that I was appreciated and that I felt that I was making a difference. The work I did along with all the other volunteers was needed and appreciated. We were told constantly that it really gave moral support to the soldiers that we came there giving up our time to volunteer to support Israel.
Most of the Israeli soldiers spoke English and as we did, valued the time of exchanging our stories about where we were from and why we were there. Here is what I will always remember:
The warm welcome we received as volunteers.
The 2 young women (Madrichot) that looked after us always.
The smiles and hopes of the Israeli people.
The huge fruits and vegetables.
Listening to Israeli music as we worked.
Eating together with the troops.
The 7:15 PM lectures.
Leaving Thursday to wherever we wanted to go- for me Tel Aviv.
Walking the city of Tel Aviv.
Visiting Jaffa.
The Jabotinsky Museum in Tel Aviv.
Falafals and Shwarmas on the streets.
Most of all the fellowship with everyone, both the volunteers and the Israeli people.
The work that I did to help.
Crying when I was on the way to the airport to go home.
Would I go back? Yes!!! Now I understand why so many people come back many times.
Some good advice I would like to share with you to get the most out of the program: Come with an open mind and go with the main purpose to work and help out all you can. Be flexible- this is an Army base and our usual comforts are only missing temporarily and are more appreciated when we go home. Bring a willingness to appreciate everything. Expect difficulty and hope for the best.
This will change you….it did me.
Gratefully,
Ken Dion