Civilian Volunteers in the IDF: A Meaningful Mission
I am a civilian. Yet I spent last week serving on an IDF base, wearing an IDF uniform, taking orders from my commanders (both 30+ years my junior!), sleeping in the barracks, and eating in the soldiers’ dining hall. My job? Packing thousands of Manakim (manot kraviot = combat rations) to supply the IDF forces currently deployed to Gaza.
This experience was made possible by the Sar El Volunteers for Israel organization, which has been arranging for civilians to volunteer on IDF bases since 1982.
I served in a group of about 30 volunteers from all over the world, including Argentina, Mexico, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Together we made and filled thousands of ration boxes every day, for immediate shipment to the soldiers who need them. This was an incredible opportunity to make a direct, physical contribution to the war effort and the return of our hostages. While assembly line labor is repetitive, this work was incredibly meaningful. It is well-known that the IDF is stretched thin, and our group of volunteers delivered 100% of the labor, other than the guidance and oversight provided by our commanders.
About half our group was Jewish. As special as it is for Jews from the diaspora to travel to Israel to help, it was particularly moving to hear the non-Jewish volunteers talk about their own sense of duty. They spoke eloquently about their admiration for the State of Israel and assured us that, despite the rise of antisemitism around the world, there are millions of non-Jews who have our back.
There is no shortage of worthy charitable organizations and volunteer opportunities to support Israel. The Sar El experience, though, was unique because we did our work on an IDF base, spent our off-duty time with active duty and reserve soldiers, and made a direct contribution with our own hands. We sent a clear message to the IDF’s combat soldiers (indeed we put written messages in as many boxes as we could): you are not alone. Behind your sacrifice stand millions of people around the world. We love you, and we are here to support you.
According to a well-known story, when President Kennedy visited NASA in 1962, he asked each employee he met to describe their job. One individual, a janitor, responded, “Mr. President, I am helping put a man on the moon.” That sentiment sums up the feeling one gets from volunteering through Sar El: while our part may be small, it is meaningful, and we can honestly say we are helping to return the hostages and bring peace to the Middle East.