Why I went

Jerry Scheinberg
July 25, 2002

For the past 19 months I read and listened with anticipation and frustration about the efforts for peace in Israel. As things grew grimmer I made the decision in February 2002 to work actively toward supporting Israel. About two years ago Rabbi Taff of Mosaic Law Congregation in Sacramento California mentioned at a Shabbat service that one of the congregants had volunteered to work on an Israel Defense Force (IDF) base. I completed the application process in February 2002 for Volunteers for Israel®, purchased my plane ticket and was set to go. As we all know things took a turn for the worse in March and the U. S. State department issued a warning not to travel to Israel. To say I had second thoughts is an understatement. After some consternation, and even in the face of family and friends, I decided to go. There were basically two reasons. First, it is in the gravest time of strife when Israel’s need is the greatest and second, I have learned in my lifetime that the things I regret the most are the things I did not do rather than the things I did. However, I did owe my wife and children an explanation. I thought putting something in writing would solidify my thinking and would give them something to ponder as well. The following is what I wrote:

“I wake up in the middle of every night with the same questions. Why, when I have everything a sane man could ask for, am I going to put myself possibly in harm’s way, and why now? I have a loving wife, children and grandchildren that are far beyond any man’s expectations. Why?

“After about an hour contemplating this conundrum, I come up with the same answer each time. It is because G-d has blessed me with such abundance, that I am bound to provide repayment. As a Jew, the land of Israel is part and parcel of me and when Israel is threatened, so am I - as is all of Judaism. Israel to me is as much of a concept as country. The land and the people that inhabit and guard it are extensions of my heritage. I need to contribute to its protection, albeit in some small way. I feel as though I do this for all of you as well as for myself. I appreciate your lack of admonishment although I know you have misgivings. All I ask is for your understanding and your prayers for my safe return”.

All my love,
Dad

So, on April 14, 2002 I gathered up this 66-year-old body and boarded the plane for Tel Aviv.

After my two weeks stay with the Sar-El program - leaving Israel and the Sar-El program was difficult. I plan to keep in touch with many of the other volunteers. This has been one of those life milestones. Everyone I know would benefit from it. Age is not deterrent, most medical conditions are not a deterrent, and the experience will put purpose in you life. I plan to go again.

Interestingly, I was one of the few who was a first-timer in Sar-El.
I won’t be the next time.