My Sar-El Experience

Lilo Kirn
December 28, 2002
Volunteers came in from different places around the world, the bases filled up and a new one had to be opened to accommodate the overflow. We spent the first night at "Bet Oded", a hostel in Jaffa, where I shared a room with three other ladies. I also found out that my friend Philip from the Netherlands was at a base in Ramle, which was already full, and I was therefore assigned to another base near Be'ersheva. In the morning we went for a walk through Jaffa. It was 26 Celsius on the Mediterranean coast, a wonderful warm climate, especially for someone like me, who had just arrived from Switzerland.

After a short orientation our group boarded the bus to our base in the Negev. There we were assigned rooms and issued our uniforms. Tamara, a wonderful girl from Argentina, was assigned as our "madricha" (group leader). She made everyone welcome and said, when Israelis see people from other countries coming to lend physical support; they feel encouraged as they see that someone cares about them and their country. The sun was shining, the climate was rather warm and so were the Israeli people, - I felt wonderful. Finally I was assigned to the mechanics shop, where three of us ladies took inventory of truck parts. At the age of 54, I thought that I was old, but one of the women I worked with was 75 years old and I ended up feeling "young."

The meals were served in the mess hall where we ate with the soldiers who were happy that we were there to help. The meals were kosher and actually very good. We never left the tables hungry and had the unique opportunity, to meet and practice the Hebrew language with many Israeli soldiers.

During the course of my 3-week program IDF soldiers presented many topics, such as Israeli history, the customs, geography and the military, it was very educational for many of us volunteers. We sang Israeli songs together and got to know each other, - as a result many new friendships were formed.

On weekends we were free to leave the bases to visit friends in Israel. I was in Efrat, an Orthodox community, where I had a great Shabbat experience.

Wednesday went by bus to a base near Ashdod, where a French and a Russian group joined us. We were updating packages with children's gas masks and adding atropine syringes to them. It was assembly work very much needed. Over a 140 volunteers joined to sing the Hatikvah together, it became very moving moment for all of us.

The third week, I got to join the base in Ramle, where my friend Philip was stationed. I got to assemble antennas. Two female soldiers asked me why I came to Israel to volunteer? I told them that it was because we loved Israel and wanted to help out, and assured them that there were a lot of people all over the world feeling the same way. All three of us had tears in our eyes as they said that they appreciated it very much. I wish that more people would understand how important it is to come to Israel and lend support. It is not enough to stay home and to send money - even though that also is needed -, but it is the physical presence of people who visit Israel, that boosts the morale of the soldiers and lets the Israelis know that they are not alone.

Sar-El is truly a rewarding experience for both, volunteers and soldiers. It was rewarding to get the feeling that you were able to help with physical labor. Whether it was quartermaster supply - filling duffel bags, organizing warehouse supplies, taking inventory, or base maintenance - painting, repairs, gardening and other various tasks, there were jobs everyone could master. I am very thankful to my Israeli friends who suggested this program to me and enabled me to help lighten the load of overburdened Israeli soldiers. The purpose of helping out became more meaningful as I was able to give freely of myself.

One thing I know for sure, I will go back to visit Israel again, because this program offered me the greatest experience of my lifetime. I recommend it to anyone who wants to support the State of Israel and its people.

Sharing a meal at the mess hall