Are there Other Activities?

Sar-El

What kind of other Activities are there?

Each evening with rare exception, there will be a lecture given usually by the assigned Madrichot, and on occasion, a visiting guest speaker. The lectures were always informative about such subjects as basic Hebrew words, identifying the different ranks within the I.D.F., historical subjects, etc. Lectures on political subjects, security tactics, or religious issues are not allowed. While not guaranteed, Sar El tries to provide some field trips during a regular work day. I was on assignment for a month and went on 3 field trips. We went to Jerusalem, Safad, and Zikhron Ya’aqov, which was the first Jewish settlement.

Sar El Sponsored Activities

(click the photos for a better view)

Us new volunteers assemble, awaiting our official rank (of a Sar El Volunteer) to be installed.

One of the volunteers getting his official Sar El blue shoulder flashes.

The main street in Zikhron Ya’aqov.

Getting some information at a cemetery near Zikhron Ya’aqov.

A busy day in the neat town of Safed.

Our guide having fun in Safed.

Strolling through the shops in Safed.

We enjoyed seeing some of the neat courtyards in Safed.

This is the view looking toward Tel Aviv from Old Joppa.

This is the wonderful Tel Aviv beach looking toward Old Joppa.

We stopped at a nice Jerusalem overlook.

Our guide explaining the sights at the nice Jerusalem overlook.

We stopped for a rest during our walking tour of Old Jerusalem.

A wonderful look at the Western or "Wailing Wall."

We gathered for a photo at the Western Wall.

Time for a prayer at the wall.

A wonderful view of the Old City of Jerusalem.

On Independence Day, we participated in the base ceremony."

As part of the Independence day recognition, we volunteers were honored to take turns guarding the symbol of the eternal flame."

Protectors of the flame

During Independence Day, we were taken to a military park to attend the ceremony.

One of the evening lectures, this one is about what the different colors of berets mean.

In an informational lecture, the madrichot showed us all the work required to service and maintain their weapons

We participated in a base inspection and important announcement by I.D.F. Officers.

Extra Activities

From time to time, the Sar-El coordinators will offer optional weekend activities. The one I went on was took us to some really interesting places some of which were not normally places that regular tours visit. These extra tours cost extra money, but are really a good value.

Touring an old building in Akko."

Heading out to the lighthouse in Akko.

During the 1948 war, this small French Renault tank was stopped where it still sits.

Up on the Golan Heights where the city of Gamla was located. Known as the Masada of the North, in 66AD, the Roman Army breached the walls and thousands were killed in the process, many died by jumping off the cliffs.

Life blooms again in Gamla."

The view into Syria from an unused observation point."

Instead of a fortification, it is now a coffee hours."

The Hula Valley near Kiryat Shmona."

An Arab village within Israel, they were flying Israeli flags for Independence Day."