Becoming Part of the Land - Volunteering in Israel
In Spring 2005, my husband Jeff and I arrived at the Tel Aviv airport from a weekend in Zichron Yachov in Israel. We were meeting our Israeli army contact and other "recruits" for our posting. We were quickly taken by van to Matzrap medical base on Tel Hashomer army base very close to Ben Gurion airport. 
Rather than simply be tourists in Israel, we decided to be volunteers for Sar-El and spend 2 weeks in the Israeli army. (Click HERE for link to Sar-El Canada). In Israel, men do 3 years of army duty and then up to a month of reserve duty (milo'im) every year. As they age, they tend to be put into "jobnick" positions rather than combat duty. If volunteers agree to be jobnicks, then Israelis can continue in their jobs and remain with their families.
The situation is pretty simple. Volunteers have a separate living area and specific IDF staff to supervise them. Volunteers wear army uniforms with special blue epaulettes. Sleeping facilities are basic - bed, small bureau, 4 - 6 people of the same gender to a room. Three meals a day are taken with the regular army staff on the base. Breakfast and dinner are just about identical - soft cheese, eggs, tomatoes, bread, tea. Lunch is the big meal with hot food and salads and fruit.
The day begins around 6:30. Breakfast is available at 8. Flag raising with the other soldiers takes place at 9. The volunteers are then collected for world news, announcements and work assignments from our madrichot - the young women who supervise us. It is then off to work until lunch time. Back to work after lunch until 4 when the volunteers can change to the regular clothing. In the evening, the group either has an activity, lecture or field trip. After about 9 in the evening, the group is free to congregate for cards, conversation or music in the outdoor common area.
The work is also basic. At the Matzrap base in the spring of 2005, Jeff and I were getting medical kits ready for possible use in the Gaza withdrawal. The pace was hectic as this base geared up to meet a possible need. Jeff ended up being a real star for his amazing organizational ability in a warehouse being brought back up to full capacity. 
I spent one week doing some very repetitive recycling tasks, but my workmates were kind, funny and interesting so the time sped quickly. In fact, despite ages and stages, the volunteers tended to be high energy, highly motivated people who wanted to pack as much work as possible into the time that we were on the base.
When you volunteer for Sar-El, you never know where you will work. Two years earlier, I worked for 3 weeks making tank helmets at Batzap base near Ramla. Another common destination this year is the naval base in Haifa. Other bases have included postings in the Negev and Ashkelon.
Weekends begin on Thursday afternoons but the planning starts the first day on the base. The madrichot are also travel advisors. They arrange tours and book hotels. Their job is to work through every volunteer's travel arrangements for the weekend to ensure volunteer safety and positive Israeli experiences. For some volunteers, free accommodation and food is arranged in Tel Aviv for weekends at a soldiers hostel. The weekend ends on Sunday at noon, when volunteers arrive back on the base and resume their work.
I have to admit that this account of the experience does not look very exciting. However, Jeff and I are preparing to return in the spring of 2007. Why? The people we work for and the people we work with. The Israelis we worked with were kind and gracious (Yes!). Some were astounded that we were choosing to spend out vacation time in the army. Many told us of their gratitude or brought in baked goods or fruit from home to show their feelings. Our contribution to Israel helped us to feel as if we were doing something to support Israelis in very difficult circumstances. We felt like we were beginning to belong. It was truly a privilege to spend time with young Israelis and learn something of their lives.
We have also made long lasting friends. I am still in touch with Sar-El friends in Los Angeles. When we visit Australia, I will meet with two wonderful women from 2 years ago. My daughter Leah was helped in Montreal by two of my army buddies. Jeff has already visited his warehouse partner from California, and we regularly correspond with an English woman who gave up her job to do 6 months in the Israeli army. It is so interesting to learn about the world over a task or a cup of tea on a quiet night. When we traveled on weekends, we always ended up running into other Sarelniks making us feel so at home.
Sar-El can be the right adventure if you have already visited Israel and seen the sights that are important to you. If you are flexible and are interested in an adventure, please consider it. Jeff and I would be glad to talk to you in more detail about Sar-El.
Heather Pollock