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Pr n ed
Ire
Michigan
6
December 6 • 2012
Hazel Bender
Production By FARAGO & ASSOCIATES
Editorial Assistant
RED
Collections Analyst
JN
Detroit Volunteers
Aid Israel Army
On Oct. 14, five Detroiters and a friend
from South Carolina ("the Detroit
Group") participated in the Volunteers
for Israel (Sar-El Program).
The Detroit Group was designated to
Bach Golani, the main training base for
the famous Golani Infantry Brigade, the
most highly decorated unit in the Israel
Defense Forces. Uniforms were issued
and separate barracks assigned to the
men and women. Left behind were the
luxuries of private showers, sinks and
beds — this is the army.
The days went fast. We rose around 6
a.m., although some got up much earlier
to exercise, pray or drink coffee, a neces-
sary commodity for Americans. Work
commenced at 8:30 a.m. We broke for
lunch from noon-1 p.m. and were back
to work until 4:30.
Half of our volunteers worked in the
base armory cleaning/repairing equip-
ment. The other half worked in a ware-
house sorting, checking and packing
tents, gas masks, tent stakes, clothing,
ponchos and other supplies. The volun-
teers performed jobs and accomplished
tasks that would otherwise have been
done by soldiers or Israeli civilians. We
quickly came to appreciate the need
for our efforts and the contribution we
made to the country and its defense. It
was most fulfilling.
Although we worked hard and
fast, we maintained a sense of humor,
learned new skills and had fun — even
losing a few pounds!
In the evening, our madrichim
(guides) had programs planned for us.
We learned about the IDF, its uniforms,
ranks and insignias.
We heard from a Golani platoon lead-
er, who answered our questions about
his duties as well as life as a contempo-
rary Israeli youth. Our group bonded
with the land, the troops and each other.
After our five days on the base, we left
with a sense of accomplishment, respect
for the soldiers and the army in which
they serve, and a prayer in our hearts for
their safety and well-being.
"Volunteers for Israel-USA is associ-
ated with Sar-El, a nonprofit organiza-
tion in Israel, which administers the
program in Israel.
Volunteers typically spend two or
three weeks living and working along-
side Israelis at an army base or at Israeli
Defense Forces warehouses. The pro-
gram offers a way to contribute to the
State of Israel in a very direct way.
Contact Ed Kohl for information at
(248) 420-3729 or michgan@vfi-usa.
org; or Paul Matlin at (248) 557-0004 or
prm371@yahoo.com. Visit the VFI-USA
website, www.vfi-usa.org.
Manager
Scott Drzewiecki
Designers
Amy Pollard
Pam Sherevan
Michelle Sheridan
Susan Walker
PUBLISHED BY:
RENAISSANCE
OYCVEDIA
Chairman
Michael H Steinhardt
President
Arthur M. Horwitz
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F. Kevin Browett
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Controller
Craig R. Phipps
Corporate Creative Director
Deborah Schultz
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Signed, "The Detroit Group"
FULFILLMENT
Update from Ed Kohl of Volunteers for
Israel: During the recent Pillar of Defense
operations, and demonstrating their com-
mitment, no volunteers departed early —
and many extended their stay.
Additional volunteers are needed for
programs starting Dec. 16, Dec. 23, Jan. 6
and Jan. 27, for one or more weeks.
Correction
The JN Gift Guide article "Give A Little"
(Nov. 15, page 40) featured a John
Hardy sterling-silver men's bracelet; and
the Red Thread article "Thrill Them
To Pieces" featured a set of Gurhan
bangles (Nov. 29, page 48). Both items
are available at Tapper's Diamonds &
Fine Jewelry, West Bloomfield (248-932-
7700); Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi (248-
465-1800); and Somerset Collection,
Troy (248-649-2000); tappers.com .
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