Sar-El Volunteers for Israel

We get so many great letters and e-mails from our volunteers around the world that we just had to share some of their comments.

Greetings from Durban, South Africa,

My wife Joy and I were at a Base in November.

We hope one day to be able to come to Sar-El again, it was such a wonderful experience.

Jessica and Liora looked after our group and we could not have asked for better !!

Their knowledge of Israel and its history was amazing. The two girls gave us such a deep understanding and love for Israel and its people that will never leave us.

They kept our group on the go for three weeks, and it was marvelous!

Tell them they are the best !!!

Ken and Joy Rowat

We were a very special group of 17 men and women from the UK, America, Australia and Israel. For one very short week we worked hard to make Israel a safer place to live. Some were first timers and others very experienced. It didn't matter. Many of us plan to return and bring our family and friends.

Andee Goldman

I have recently returned from serving on a base in the Northern Negev. As always, it was most enjoyable and personally satisfying.

I was working in one of the warehouses with another British volunteer. The soldiers and IDF civilian employees made us feel extremely welcome and were very appreciative of our work. Our madrichot, Hadas and Shachar, led us very well in all aspects of the program and were great to be with.

I'm already looking forward to volunteering again.

Alan Cosford

Thank you so much for these wonderful 3 weeks. We were such a proud group. We made new friends and yes, I already know I will be back at Sar-El. We had wonderful madrichot (Or & Noa)—I already miss them. The Israeli army is in my heart & I pray for Israeli soldiers to be safe.

Shalom,

Adelhaide Schoch

I was very moved by Yarden's article (on our website's front page - "Saying Goodbye to Sar-El"), especially as I was in the group she speaks about. I have to say she was as much an inspiration to us as she feels we were to her.

Wishing her a wonderful future.

Jennie Goldstone

I just want to congratulate all at the bases for the wonderful work being done by the IDF in Haiti.

Here in Ireland we seldom hear of anything good that Israeli's are involved in, but listening to the early morning news two days ago I heard an interview with a 'worker' in Haiti. This volunteer related how fast and efficient the IDF team had set up a 'Field Hospital' and having the very best and latest of equipment were at work within five hours. Now many doctors and surgeons want to work at their hospital.

It has always been a privelege working with you all and I certainly hope to be there soon again.

Greetings and best wishes

Nora Wisdom

"Toda Raba" for a heart-warming experience for my recent time with Sar-El. My last week on the base I saw Amrani (the contact person at the base) walking and joined him and asked him if he had a few minutes for me which he graciously said he did.

I told him that all of us were not to old to learn new things and that I had learned from him. I had a new appreciation for him and the way he functioned as both a military leader and a high school guidance counselor for his people, bringing his young soldiers into the population instead of just considering them for the scrap heap as failures if they didn't measure up.

Irwin Edelstein

Thank for the wonderful privilege we had in coming to serve in your wonderful land. We loved every moment, loved the people, the soldiers, the food, the work, the all..............

Ken and Joy Rowat, South Africa.

We cannot tell you, or others, how much this trip meant to us, to be PART of Israel is something that can not be put in words, you must live it. Again we thank you, and for sure we left with a very positive memory.

Burl & Annette Cohn

[Our 2 stints with] Sar-El were truly the highlight of our 'once-in-a-lifetime' vacation. As being non-Jewish, my wife and I considered it to be such a honor to be a part of your world, which includes an IDF base. Thanks you so much.

[Our madricha] Julia was with us at both bases and did a superb job.
She exhibited characteristics far more impressive than her 19 years.

Thanks for the efforts each of you put forth, to allow us to go and serve.

Douglas & Beverly Chambers
Kelowna BC Canada

My 16-year-old daughter Erin and I did Sar-El with a group of other "young" volunteers and Ruth was our madricha. The experience was good beyond words. It was moving, intimidating, eye-opening and world-expanding. It was about as perfect as we could ask for.

Erin wants more than ever now to make aliyah with her mother and I. While we're waiting for that to happen, Erin and I will come back to Sar-El for the three week program this December. I only hope that we can give as much and get as much as we did in May.

We hope to see you then!

All the best,
David and Erin Erb

You Never Know When You Will Need Your Sar-El Cap!

I thought it might amuse you to see me as a Sar-El representative. I was recently at a Jewish wedding and gave the groom my bobby pin, since he had forgotten his and kept losing his kippa.

Since it was an Orthodox affair I needed to keep my head covered, so I spent the entire evening in my Sar-El cap. So you see, you can go anywhere in Sar-El Haute couture!

Matthew

As we approach the New Year and take stock of our lives, not only do we hopefully learn from our mistakes and plan for the future, but we also reflect on our achievements. I want you to know that Carol and I both feel that the single most important achievement in our lives for 5769 is our service with SAR-EL!

Jerry & Carol Subkow

This was only my 5th trip to Israel and my first as a volunteer with Sar El. It was such a moving experience and has strengthened my conviction to return with my son and grandson on a future trip.

My most memorable recollections are:

(1) A connection with our Ethiopian work manager,Tomar, because Gail and I were in Israel shortly after operation Moses (1983) when he would have been 4-5 years old.

(2) The connection with a soldier named Avishai Kaisserman who gave me an epilate of the Golani Bigade. He was apologizing because he felt his English was not as good as mine and asked for my help and than proceeded to write the following “Harvey- Thank you for making stronger the connection between Jewish nation to the Israel land in strength and honor.” I still get tears in my eyes and will always remember Avishai.

(3) The sight of the flatbed semi-trucks arriving with the plastic- wrapped commercial ovens and refrigerators and the preparation of the mess hall for Pessach. How can I not be enthusiastic and proud to do my small part for Sar El?

Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart.

Harvey

I just wanted to take this opportunity and say that I had the most amazing experience with the Sar-El program. I did a 2 week program starting April 19th at a base up north. The people were great (the soldiers, the volunteers, our madrichot, everyone at the bases we went to), the food wasn't as bad as I was expecting (and now have a new found love for Shocko!), the views were breath taking, the pictures I got are so, so cool! I would do it all over again in a heart beat. In fact, I think I will before I leave in August! Thanks so much for this experience I will never forget.

Jennifer Hastie

“We both are vegetarians used to "severe suffering" every time we travel anywhere in the world - nothing to eat, or at best, no choice other than pizza and pasta. The base cafeteria was like paradise to us - good food, good choice. I wish you were there to see and smell all the huge mimosa bushes all over the base, I wish you could see the windless and often silent desert for miles and miles in every direction. We had a terrific time, really.

But above all, wearing the Israeli uniform, it was absolutely priceless. When our group was told that starting from the Wednesday dinner we didn't have to wear the uniforms, everyone changed into civilian clothes. Except my wife and me. We both almost cried when we finally had to take it off while the bus was already waiting for us to go to Tel Aviv.”

With Love of Israel,

Alex and Hana

I was overwhelmed by the extent of the gratitude we were shown at our base. The Base Commander came to our work site several times along with other officers to introduce himself and thank each volunteer personally.

Our certificates handed out at the end of our work weeks are usually distributed by the Madrichot. However, this time, the Commander insisted on doing it himself. His talk to us was so heartfelt that not a dry eye was left in the room. The work can be dirty and physically draining. But when we see and hear the response to our being there, it's impossible to leave without planning to return.

Patsy K.

I`d like to say thanks, “Toda Rabba” for all, you and Sar-El has given to me. It was the best and greatest birthday present for my fiftieth birthday. You have placed me in remarkable places. After twenty-five years I returned back to Israel, and you have lit my fire of Zionism bigger than ever before. I will come again and also I will send my sons and my daughter.

Our program went great, our group was very enthusiastic and experienced as many had done the program more than once. The soldiers were great and coming from Alaska, we loved the weather!

I had the best time ever, there was no shortage of work. We had a terrific group of volunteers and felt that we really made a contribution.

The highlight for me was meeting the soldiers and working with the volunteers. I saw how important it was for the soldiers to know that people do care.