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Guest Column

Editorial

Sar-El Volunteering
Is Transformative

I

arrived at Israel's Ben-Gurion
International Airport on June 29
excited to be in a new country, ner-
vous to uncover new experiences and
(for about a half hour) lost searching
for the Israeli soldier escorting me to
my new home as a Sar-El volunteer for
the next three weeks. Eventually, I did
find the soldier as well as two of my
co-volunteers; all welcomed
me with a warm smile and
good-natured conversation.
Riding inside the 10-pas-
senger bus, my senses were
awakened to an endlessly
blue sky, green grass and
agriculture spreading across
what was once considered
useless desert land. I also
was sensitized to ubiqui-
tously spoken Hebrew.
We arrived at our Israeli
Defense Forces logistics base
(newly accepting Sar-El volunteers), gal-
vanized to help while interacting with
the soldiers. My adventure was about to
begin as a Sar-El army base volunteer
doing civilian work. I had no idea what
the next 31/2 weeks would bring.

Time Of Adjustment

Volunteers are placed with others their
own age, then randomly assigned to a
base. The program allows participants
to meet Jewish (and non-Jewish) vol-
unteers from around the globe while
experiencing life on a base.
Our menu consisted of olives, tahini,
rice and vegetables — a lot of veg-
etables. (Once in a blue moon, we'd get
hummus; those were, by far, the best
days). Daily activities included paint-
ing, moving heavy materials, packing
soldier gear bags and occasionally
cleaning guns.
As our stay grew longer, the days
became filled with deeper personal
connections, philosophical conversa-
tions and an eventual understanding
of every other word uttered in Hebrew
from the soldiers.
Thursday through Saturday, we were
let loose to create our own adventures
in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The beach
was soft, the Mediterranean clear, the
falafel delicious and the shuk (outdoor
market) crowded with vitality.
My new friends and I quickly dis-
covered the aggressive, but welcoming
nature of an Israeli. And while travel-
ing through the Old City, we had the
pleasure of watching sunset over the
Western Wall as Shabbat arrived.

50

August 21 • 2014

IN

War's Undercurrent

Although it had a salient impact on
my stay, the war-like climate took a
backseat to my Israel experience.
Sure, sirens sounded regularly —
about once a day — warning me of
the impending rocket heading in my
direction. Yes, I did see the famous Iron
Dome in action, preventing cataclys-
mic damages, injuries and
deaths. I had the incredible
experience of watching oth-
ers hold loved ones close,
appreciating all that they
had, as they awaited for
potential danger to subside.
I was, at times, concerned,
but I rarely (if ever) feared
for my life because of the
barrage of rocket attacks.
My fears were assuaged
by the calmness of Israeli
citizens. I'd watch as resi-
dents gaped, unprotected by shelter,
at rocket streaks in the sky above. Or
restaurant employees continuing to
cook newly ordered dishes. Or Tel
Aviv beach-goers continuing to enjoy
the soothing ocean and sand.
There is certainly good reason to be
cautious around the southern parts of
Israel at this time. But Israel continues
to strive to ensure citizen safety, even
during wartime.

Lend Assistance

Israel needs the support of the Jewish
people now more than ever. Volunteering
for Sar-El as well as traveling through
Israel was the most rewarding and trans-
formative experience of my life. I have
never felt so attached to a country; I now
proudly call myself a Zionist.
Volunteering for Sar-El gave me
honest insight into the daily life of
an Israeli soldier. I was offered an
authentic taste of Israeli life, especially
having encountered so many different
people and places during Operation
Protective Edge.
There is no other region I prefer
traveling to and potentially settling in
than the diverse nation of Israel. ❑

Sam Corey, 20, of Birmingham is a
University of Michigan junior and a mem-
ber of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
For information on becoming a Sar-El vol-
unteer, log onto the organization website:

www.sar-el.org.

For more stories about young Detroiters
in Israel, see page 43.

Defense Shield Buys
Israel Security Time

T

he Iron Dome hasn't lifted Israel
to clear victory in its latest war
with Hamas. But it has proven
a game-changer. Consider how this joint
Israel-U.S. defense system has zapped
hundreds of Hamas missiles aimed indis-
criminately at Israeli population centers.
The Israeli government says the Iron
Dome has helped limit Israeli civilian
casualties to three and has deflected a
high percentage of Hamas missiles head-
Israel's Iron Dome
ing toward Israel cities since Operation
Protective Edge took effect on July 8.
President Obama and Congress did their part to strengthen the Iron Dome net-
work when a bill became law on Aug. 4 authorizing another $225 million for it. Not
surprisingly, the bill commanded strong bipartisan support; neither political party
wants to stiff Israel at a time when Gaza Strip-based Hamas is playing off its char-
ter's call to destroy the State of Israel. The U.S. previously had designated $350
million to fortify Israel's defensive shield against devastation and chaos. Each Iron
Dome missile costs $50,000.
Whatever differences Congress and the Obama administration have toward Israel,
the U.S. government clearly came together on behalf of America's best friend in one
of the world's most volatile regions.
The Iron Dome isn't Israel's only defense system; emergency alerts, bomb shelters
and a world-class military share the defensive playbook. But the Dome has attract-
ed global attention. During wartime, it's not unusual for Hamas to fire hundreds of
missiles or more at Israel in a week. The Dome can sense when to respond.

Behind Support

The week of the Iron Dome allocation also saw unanimous congressional approval
of nonbinding resolutions ripping Hamas for firing missiles from among civilians.
Hamas' inhumanity has forced Israel to hunt terrorists among Palestinian civilians.
The mounting number who have died or been caught in the crossfire has stoked out-
rage against Israel. The U.N. Human Rights Council, a hardly impartial watch panel,
has rebuked Israel for these civilian casualties.
Realistically, any cease-fire must be construed as temporary. Whether it lasts
a matter of days, months or years, the quiet will pass when Hamas feels secure
enough to resume its assault on Israel in pursuit of international sympathy for all
the dead or wounded Gaza civilians.
In announcing increased Iron Dome funding, the White House urged both sides in
the Israel-Hamas war to comply with international humanitarian law, but singled out
Israel to take all feasible precautions to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza and pro-
tect the civilian Palestinian population from the effects of attacks."
No mention was made of Israeli civilians who have been killed or maimed by
Hamas-fired missiles since the terrorist organization's 2007 coup in Gaza.
It's, of course, wrong to equate each side's civilian casualties. There's no moral
equivalence. Hamas deliberately targets Israeli civilians. Civilians in Gaza typically
die because Hamas has deliberately embedded terrorists or weapons in their midst.

Keeping Focused

Hamas has exposed the Iron Dome's limits. As good as the defense system has been
in intercepting short-range missiles, Hamas' projectile power has intensified.
In the wake of that as well as the long-range capacity of Iranian and Hezbollah
projectiles, Israel must stay on track to perfect David's Sling, to fend off medium-
range threats, and the Arrow series, a long-range ballistic missile program.
Israel's defense lineup must be multi-tiered, wide-ranging and battle tested if
it's going to guard against not just Hamas, a Muslim Brotherhood proxy, but also
Hezbollah, Iran and Tehran-backed Syria.
The Middle East is a scary neighborhood. III-prepared entities won't survive.
Hamas is Israel's immediate priority on the battlefront stage. But the wings are
filled with other rogue players; one, Iran, holds even greater potential for unleashing
evil.

❑

T ime s of Is rae l

oints of view