Lately, we have had a few cases of volunteers arriving to the program with pre-existing severe health issues that resulted in their evacuation. These health issues were present prior to their arrival in Israel and these health emergencies placed the volunteer in danger and a stressful situation as they had to leave the base.Volunteers who …
A loud cheer erupts from a group of Sar-El volunteers having lunch outdoors at an Aroma Café on their last Sunday before returning home. Looking confused, other nearby patrons ask, “What are you yelling about?” A series of large Volvo trucks and flatbeds carrying tanks had just passed by. “They could have been the ones …
NEVADA REUNION of Sar-El volunteers, November 2013. Some of the alumni volunteered in 1984. Everyone told humorous stories of their times on IDF bases over the past 30 years and all compared IDF food, work, and accommodations. Following the event, the Las Vegas Valley Jewish Federation president and the Israeli Shaliach announced that VFI (Sar-El) volunteers …
I am Don Feinstein and my older brother (Larry), who lives in Flint, MI, never had a Bar Mitzvah. In 2013 when he heard I would be in Israel, for Sar El, he decided it would be a good time to become a Bar Mitzvah Boy – at age 80. He arranged with a Jerusalem …
Dear Sar El! My name is Jordana. I was a Sar El volunteer 2015 in Israel. I have a story that [I thought might interest you]. I went to Israel with my sister at the end of February 2015. I really didn’t know who [would] be in our group. On this night when we arrived our madricha …
To: Nefesh bNefesh Tlv, [email protected], [email protected] From: Ilana Dreyer Date: 4 June, 2019 Re: SarEl Volunteer program, through Nefesh b’Nefesh Dear Karen & Adina I promised to write you about my Sar El experience. But first I want to thank you for a wonderful shabbat dinner. You both are terrific; and when I …
Sixty-eight year-old Lawrence from Canada, Danielle from Australia, and Samantha from New York, all recently arrived at an IDF military camp in Israel. It may sound like an unusual destination for three foreigners, but this trio arrived to take part with others from abroad in a three-week Sar-El program, during which they will help the …
There is a new rule regarding buses and trains in Israel. Everyone must purchase a “Rav Kav” card BEFORE going on a bus/train. The bus drivers will not take any money. You can purchase these cards at the central bus stations and train stations, as well as at the airport. The best place is to …
I enjoy the written word. So, when initially invited to submit a piece about making aliyah/Sar-El, I imagined a clever, creative composition. Yet, as I sit at my keyboard, my heart, enmeshed by my soul, is crying out otherwise, much to the dismay of my logical thoughts. I suppose, for me, this conundrum alone sums …
Below are the first two items in our series about Sar-Elniks who made Aliyah. Please send us your Aliyah story ! As we write this brief note, we reflect on what it means to us to be both Olim Chadashim (new immigrants) and Sar-Elniks. In hindsight, some of the things we feel are cliché. Shelley …
This is an excerpt from a blog describing the experiences of SAR-EL volunteer Johnny Cahn during his nine trips to Israel, both as a volunteer and a visitor. The events described took place during the period from 2010 to 2018. Events are not necessarily in order. The hope is that those reading this Blog will …
Blog: Sar-Elnik Reflects on Life on and off Base Read More »
SAR-EL STATEMENT (French version) Certaines personnes expriment leur solidarité envers Israël et rejoignent les programmes de volontariat civil de Sar-El afin d’aider et de soutenir les Forces de défense israéliennes (IDF) sans pour autant être un militaire.Pour rappel, voici la définition du mot “civil” : Celui qui n’est ni militaire, ni prêtre. En d’autres termes, les volontaires du …
