A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE IN ISRAEL

We got off the plane and were waiting for our army escort in the Tel Aviv airport as directed, ready to be whisked off to an army base "somewhere in Israel."  We had arrived as volunteers, to live and work on an Israeli army base for 3 weeks.  A smiling young female IDF soldier approached us and introduced herself as Kinneret, our "madricha" (guide.)

After collecting all those who would be in our "SAR-EL"  (Hebrew acronym for "Volunteers for Israel") group, we headed off in a bus to our assigned base.  It was a short ride to "Matzrap", part of the huge "Tel-Ha-Shomer" army base on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.  Matzrap is a medical army base and some of the activities there involve "refreshing and repacking army medical supply kits used by the soliders in the field.

Our introduction to army life began with bunk assignments and a tour of the communal bathroom/shower facilities.  In the interests of efficiency and socialization, English-speaking volunteers are grouped together in single-sex barracks.  I soon met people who had come from all parts of the United States, and even a couple of volunteers from Germany.  There were a total of 32 of us - one of the largest groups to assemble as one unit, I was told.  It was an interesting mix of people from all walks of life; but the one unifying and bonding factor seemed to be our absolute love for Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people!

Life at work and in the barracks and mess hall was spartan, to say the least.  We slept on thin mattresses set on bedframes with metal springs.  We were all issued uniforms.  Base regulations require all volunteers to wear IDF uniforms, literally head to toe.  Army hats had to be worn at flag-raising daily, and army boots had to be worn while working.  It's a different feeling wearing the uniform of the defenders of Israel!   At each flag-raising I felt pride in wearing the uniform, in being in Israel to help even in such a small way, and admiration for all the young soldiers there in the assembly area with me.

There are different types of work assignments in the SAR-EL program.  Volunteers on other bases throughout Israel perform tasks such as cleaning or repairing tank parts, banging out dents in armored vehicles; other SAR-EL volunteers work in hospitals, old-age homes, or sometimes seasonally on archeological sites.  At "Matzrap" our "mission" was the inspection, reconditioning, and repackaging of all types of medical equipment.  Even as the volunteers talked and joked while they worked, we were always aware of the responsibilites we had undertaken.  We all knew that one day, someone's life might depend on our conscientious performance of our duties.

It wasn't long before the call came that 4 people were needed for "kitchen duty."  I soon found myself standing in the Mess Hall face to face with an officer who spoke only Hebrew, but did alot of pointing toward the dual sinks, different sets of dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, dual EVERYTHING - one set for "dairy" and another set for "meat."  Then it hit me!  What I had known, but hadn't really considered, is the Israeli army is a KOSHER ARMY!!!  What did I know about working in a "kosher kitchen!?"

It didn't take me long to learn the koshrut rules for serving 300-400 people at a time!  Simply put > follow the color code - blue for dairy - red for meat.    Daily, we set up the dining hall for a "dairy" breakfast first by covering the tables with plastic wrap and setting out the blue dishes, cups, and designated cutlery.  Even the preparation pots and serving pans & utensils were coded blue.   Breakfast was the same each morning:  hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, humus, pudding, yogurt, cheese and bread.  This did not vary.  Sometimes as a "treat" there was orange marmalade!  After breakfast, I (hand)washed all of the dishes and air-dried them on a rack, in preparation for using them again at supper.....when we would again repeat the exact same "dairy" meal, with the possible exception of scrambled eggs instead of hard-boiled.

The main meal at noon varied a bit more, sometimes featuring brisket of beef, spaghetti, rice, or potatoes.  But the Israeli's are the greatest consumers per capita of chicken in the world, and it was reflected in the noon meal on the army base!....chicken patties, chicken nuggets, chicken gumbo, chicken soup, etc.!
For the noon meal, we set the officers tables with serving platters of salads, fruit, and soup......while the regular army and volunteers would go through the line.

On Wednesdays we had extra "visitors" - a busload of Russian Jews were brought in each Wednesday as volunteers in the warehouses, and they joined us for breakfast and lunch before being taken back home.  Even though they knew no English, their smiles and nods (and sometimes hugs), gave us a feeling of kinship with them.  In fact, all of the young soldiers who came into the Mess Hall would smile, give thumbs-up signs, and sometimes with obvious effort, attempt to say in English, "Israel thanks you."  I can't begin to describe the incredibly humbling feeling when you realize they were thanking us for what we felt was a special blessing and privilege to be there with THEM!

In the evenings SAR-EL often provided programs and lectures designed to educate or entertain the volunteers.  Our "madrichot" (soldier guides) made a special effort to teach us the history of the Israeli army and we learned to sing the Hatikva, Israel's national anthem.  We had the honor of meeting the base commander, Lt. Col. Oded and retired General Davidi, who is the founder of SAR-EL.  We were also privileged to have a visit from General Farcash - one of the highest ranking Generals in the Israeli Army.  He personally, and individually, thanked each one of us for our willingness to work and support Israel.  But, it was truly OUR privilege to do so.

It was exciting to be in Israel for their Holocaust Memorial Day and War of Independence Day.  We stood silently at attention as a siren sounded precisely at 11 am.   We listened to speeches given by some of the soldiers, and even though it was in Hebrew, we heard the passion and pride in their voices, and felt the heart of their words for their fallen loved ones who gave their lives through so many wars.

>From Friday mornings to Saturday evenings we were treated to
weekend excursions, staying in Jerusalem and Tiberias, visiting the Golan Heights, Mt. Carmel, sailing on the Sea of Galilee, and traveling through small towns and other great places, which enabled us to see and enjoy Israel.  Despite what the news media presents, Israel is a beautifully peaceful place where life goes on just as it does here at home.

In summary, I would like to say that SAR-EL was a wonderful experience. and I plan to return to Israel on this program again and again.  I went on SAR-EL because I wanted to do something for Israel other than writing a check or simply "visiting" to show my support.....and in doing something small but personal for Israel, I did alot for myself.   And the "bonus" was the feeling I came away with that in being with Israelis -and the young IDF soldiers on base in particular- I felt part of "one big family"!  It was truly a uniquely remarkable, enjoyable, and blessed experience.
                                           Shalom,  Sherry Vance