What Volunteers Have to Say:
"I am so thankful that this program exists-Volunteers for Israel/Sar
El. It gave me the oppurtunity to lend a hand to the State of Israel in
a way that I was able to live and breathe the life there on an army base
along side soldiers. Appreciation for our help was much expressed by
the soldiers and I'm sure they knew what that meant to all of us.
The past 3 weeks was the most amazing experience that I have ever had. I
met some wonderful people from all over the world with whom I fully intend
to stay in touch with. The entire experience was one that I will never forget.
I intend to return to Israel via Volunteers for Israel. I reccommend this
program to anyone who has the love and desire to lend a hand to the cause
that Israel must bear".
-Jodi Mantia- New York-3/10/08
"It was hot; it was exhausting; it was dirty;
it was frustrating; it was wonderful! Two weeks in Israel with VFI's SAR-EL
program was an experience of a lifetime. I have rarely, if ever, felt more
useful or appreciated. Do it again? YOU BET I WILL!"
-Michael Pecullan, VFI Volunteer Summer of 2007
"I needed to be in Israel. I wanted to GIVE something more
than a check to this special nation and its people."
-Beverly Cohen, Harleysville, PA
"When you get angry because of the way Israel is being treated and you get
that feeling that you want to do more for Israel, the Volunteers for Israel®
program is the place to be."
- Phil Miller, Turnersville, NJ
"This is
what I can do to give back to Israel for being there for me and any other
Jew on this planet . Time and again I am awestruck by the spirit, determination,
and resilience of the people of Israel."
- Davida Harris, Danville, NH
"Israel is one of America's most reliable allies
and certainly our most dependable ally in the Middle East. Making this
trip to
Israel now was a way for me to both support Israel during a difficult time
and contribute to a loyal friend of America."
- Doug Tanger, Boston,
MA
"If Israel disappears, we as Jews will also disappear. That is why
I try to help to the best of my ability, to make sure that my people will
survive."
- Howard Passman, Brookline, MA
"Harold and I have been ardent Zionists all our
lives but were busy with our careers and raising children. I love Israel
as if it were one of my children
- passionately and unconditionally. It has strengths and flaws, and I don't
care."
- Harold and Gail Kushner, West Orange, NJ
"I feel Israel is a "best friend," and you should not desert
your best friend in time of need. There has been no greater time of need
to show
support than now."
- Phil Miller, Turnersville, NJ
"I've gone on VFI to show support in the face of
serious threats to Israel's survival. I want our Israeli friends to see
that we,
and so many others, stand with them, in good times and bad. I know that
it lifts their morale. They need us now, more than ever."
- Carol Stein, Dresher, PA
"There were young people,
old people, Holocaust survivors, college students, doctors, truck drivers,
lawyers, nurses, housewives, teachers, business people, rich people, poor
people, retired army officers, any profession you can imagine - a very
diverse group. We all had an intense desire to help Israel, a feeling that
we could
not sit on the sidelines when Israel needed help. This deepfelt need to
help is what motivated each one of us to volunteer."
- Jeanne Schachter,
Philadelphia