Di Kuchar
I had planned my annual 3 month stay in Israel. I had also booked a side trip with a friend for an indulgent Mediterranean cruise. When this was suddenly cancelled or rather, the Jewish Kosher contingent was “cancelled” we were offended and disgusted. What a pathetic act of anti semitism but let’s find something better.
It was a relief for me in a way to pursue a meaningful program in Israel while at war.
I said to my friend, hey let’s do something really Israeli, let’s join the army for a week!
I’d heard of the SAR El program when Emmanuel’s Pesach (Melbourne) asked me to post this program on my Gittel’s List.
I was intrigued and called to find out more. All the responses from previous volunteers were the same, "amazing, best time, wonderful people from all over, tents or barracks, uniforms, army food.."
Were the tasks assigned real and necessary or just designed to keep us busy and feel good?
I learned that SarEl emerged in 1982 when Dr Aharon David, a military head at the time, managed to recruit 650 US volunteers to step in and save the Golan farm crops as farmers and workers had been called for reserve duty. This was indeed REAL help, a REAL Mitzvah and SAR El ( Hebrew acronym “ Service for Israel”)1 was just what I wanted to join.
Did SarEl really want us? The forms, uploading , document copying, medical checks all for Australia then again for Israel, Somehow the psychology worked . The more complex it became the more determined we were to be recruited.
Our assembly at Ben Gurion airport was exciting, meeting people of all ages, religions and nationalities who had a desire to come work and help. The zeal and passion of the non Jewish volunteers brought me to tears. They spoke of their love of Israel, the Jewish people, and the desire to support the side that is right and good,
My group was bussed to a medical army base where we were to fill medical supply packs.
After a few hours packing a sadness overwhelmed me. So many serious First Ajd supply packs?! They need so many? Those poor חיילים soldiers, my heart was breaking.
Then I learnt that these packs are made continuously yes for war casualties but also for domestic events and aid packs going with Israeli volunteers for overseas natural disaster aid, fires in US, earthquakes in Asia,and wherever ISRAEL can help around the globe. I now felt even more pride and admiration for our small but mighty nation.
On the 3rd day of our Sunday to Thursday recruitment, I had a need to clean and sort! I was hoping Mashiach our Mardich wouldn’t be thrown by my hitch in the routine.
I explained his kitchen area, papers, books and discarded medical supplies really needed cleaning and order. What chutzpah I had mustered. It was his stuff for decades in happy disarray. . It only took a few minutes of intense clearing and scrubbing when Mashiach joined the fervour by piling on more and more areas to sort and clean. He loved the “New Look” and even joined the tossing of odds and ends into bins.
It was a win win, we were both happy.
Meals in the Hadar Ohel, mess hall made me feel that we were all in a scene from MASH, I was listening out for the theme music. The trays, the long tables, tired shmoozing, and all of us in custom khaki uniform couture. Thankfully the food was not MASH food mush but Jewish food; plentiful and varied.
I never knew khaki was my colour but yes it was. Maybe the achievement, nachas, the hard work and the camaraderie all contributed to “the neo military chic”
So we were, Australians, Canadians, Americans, French, and British.oh how we played Jewish Geography with some great connections found.
We were Jewish- religious and secular, non Jewish-religious and secular and also those who were loving their pursuit of yiddishkeit learning. I offered basic Aleph bet Hebrew 101 classes that both non Jews and Jews joined, what fun and unity was generated.
I realised I was in the minority as a first time SAR Elnik. An older US non Jewish couple had retuned 6 times on a loop week after week. A Jewish couple (with their own tailor made khakis) served 3-4 times a year. These vatikim, seasoned volunteers, showed us the stash of nush for the taking. This included endless supply of Bamba, Apropo, yoghurt, jelly ups and of course Bisli.
The mornings started with a Mifkad assembly at “amod Noach” at ease, in the flag post quadrangle,
Our Madrichot, cheerful soldiers , our SAR El leaders, offered us turns to raise the Flag and sang Hatikva with us. I guarantee each of us shed a tear at least once during this daily declaration of dedication.
Themadrichot then sent us off to our tasks while they prepared meaningful programs for night activities.
Reminisces of Bnei Akiva camp, yes, but lots more.
We came to serve, to do some small part for our Land of Israel.
We came back with so much more In so many ways.
So long SAR El and Lehitraot, I’ll be back.