Since the terrible events of Oct. 7, so many members of our community have been asking the same question: “What can I do for Israel?” With so many Israelis being called to service and thousands of families displaced from their homes — both along the Gaza border and in the north of Israel —, my wife, Shelly, and I were looking for a way to make a difference.
In March, Shelly and I flew to Israel to join the program of an organization there and were joined by more than 200 volunteers. We were soon divided into groups and sent by bus to various bases of the Israel Defense Forces in need of help. We were sent to a quartermaster base in the south that supplies food, uniforms, and gasoline to troops. We joined 75 other volunteers, equally committed Jews and non-Jews from nine countries ranging in age from 30 to 80. All were there to help a country they love. Language was not an issue as everyone spoke English.
We received IDF uniforms to wear, (no, we didn’t get to keep them), and were shown where we would be billeted (men and women in separate barracks). Then, we were given our first assignment: assembling Passover Seder packages for soldiers at the front. We packed over 5,000 boxes. It was meaningful work, and we felt that we were making a difference. Everything we did – soldiers didn’t have to do.
The days were long. They started with flag-raising and singing “Hatikvah” in the morning and ended with learning opportunities at night. On one special evening, we were able to spend time with soldiers who had just returned from Gaza. It was memorable to meet these young men and women.
Shelly and I decided in advance to spend two weeks volunteering, although our program had no requirements regarding the length of stay. Some volunteers committed to one week, while others opted for a month. Every person was valued and did what they felt they could.
Day after day of hard and challenging work left everyone eager for Shabbat. It was a needed day of rest. We were expected to leave our assigned base on Shabbat, so we spent each weekend at our favorite hotel in Tel Aviv.
In our second week, Shelly and I were shifted to a different base: Tel-Hashomer, Tel Aviv, where we sorted and packed medical supplies for hospitals and medics.
In the end, our small contribution to the war effort may be negligible, but it was obvious to us that it was still meaningful, not only for ourselves, but for the Israelis whom we met. For them to witness the outpouring of love and support was reason enough for us to make the trip.
Jeff and Shelly Jubelirer volunteered in Israel with Sar-El: The National Project for Volunteers for Israel.
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Jeff and Shelly Jubelirer
Writer Jeff Jubelirer, and his wife Shelly, have lived in Bayside for more than 30 years. Shelly is retired, a former art teacher at Stormonth School in Fox Point. Jeff is a retired commercial real estate broker and property manager. Both are active in the Jewish community.
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