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July 4, 2003
Volunteering with Israeli army
More than 94,000 people have worked with Sar-El over the last
21 years.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
While many Diaspora Jews feel like they'd like to do more to help
Israel fight terror and other physical threats, more than 94,000
people in the past 21 years have actually taken action and volunteered
their services with the Israel Defence Force (IDF).
Sar-El, a volunteer program with the IDF, was first established
during the 1982 war with Lebanon, when almost the entire population
of Israel was mobilized. Due to a lack of work hands on the kibbutzim,
Gen. Aaron Davidi sent messengers to the United States, hoping to
recruit civilians who would be willing to help Israel's cause. Within
a month, 650 volunteers headed to Israel and stayed for a month.
Many of the volunteers expressed an interested in continuing to
support Israel and a special military program was created to accommodate
those demands. Today, with the recruiting help of the Jewish Agency,
Sar-El has involved participants aged 16 to 85, from 43 different
countries, who operate on 25 different military bases throughout
Israel.
During the 1991 Gulf War, almost 7,000 Diaspora Jews volunteered
and more than 8,400 volunteered in 2002.
Volunteers may serve a variety of roles during their time in Israel:
preparing first aid kits for field doctors and paramedics, repairing
jeeps, painting helmets and boots or distributing protective kits
to Israel's civilian population. The jobs differ from base to base.
Each Sar-El group consists of between 15 and 50 volunteers who work
at least eight hours a day. The three-week program includes two
recreational excursions, one for a whole day and the other for a
half day and there are also several conferences and classes with
different topics, such Israel Today, or Hebrew lessons.
The Sar-El volunteers often work directly with the IDF soldiers
and even eat their meals with the soldiers in the dining room. During
Shabbat the volunteers can choose to stay on the base or visit friends
or family in Israel. Several youth hostels around Israel are free
for Sar-El volunteers.
More information can be found online at www.sar-el.org
or by contacting Canadian Sar-El at 416-781-6089 or 514-735-0272.
Sar-El gave a presentation June 29 at the Jewish Community Centre
of Greater Vancouver.
Kyle Berger is an award-winning freelance journalist and
a graphic designer living in Richmond.
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