Sar-El

Sar-El is an Israeli nonprofit volunteer service organization operating under the direction of the Israeli Logistics Corps. Its name is commonly expanded as the National Project for Volunteers for Israel or translated as Service for Israel. The organization provides a structured way for people who support Israel to perform short periods of non-combat service with the Israel Defense Forces without enlisting as regular soldiers. The program is primarily designed for Israeli citizens living abroad and for non-Israeli citizens who wish to undertake a service experience connected with Israel. Participants generally work on rear army or air-force bases rather than in combat units. Assignments are commonly associated with logistics, maintenance, storage, workshops, equipment preparation, and other forms of operational support. The work is intended to supplement the activities of the military while keeping volunteers away from combat duties. A standard placement usually lasts about three weeks, although one-week and two-week options are also available. Non-Israeli participants generally must be at least 17 years old, or 16 when accompanied by a parent. Israeli citizens are generally required to be at least 30 years old if they did not complete their national service obligation for another reason. Sar-El accepts both Jewish and non-Jewish supporters of Israel, making the program broader than a Jewish-diaspora service initiative alone. The organization was established in spring 1983 by Yehuda Meir Indor and Cantors. Israeli general Aharon Davidi was invited to become its first director. In its early years, many participants came from the United States and France. The program later developed an international volunteer base, with participants reported from more than 60 countries. In the United States, recruitment and logistical support have been associated with the nonprofit Volunteers for Israel. Sar-El received the Speaker's Prize in 1988, an indication of recognition within Israel for its contribution to volunteer service. Its model has remained distinct from conventional tourism, charitable donation, and formal military enlistment: participants travel to Israel, receive placement and supervision through the program, and contribute labor in military support environments for a limited period. The organization has also attracted public attention through notable volunteers. American politician Rahm Emanuel volunteered during the Gulf War, and American veteran and politician Brian Mast has also been identified as a Sar-El volunteer. A 2015 figure cited for the United States recorded 881 American volunteers that year, although no current participation total is established by the supplied sources. Sar-El's present scale, leadership, legal structure, and operating status are not fully documented in the available reference material.

Sar-El was founded in spring 1983 as an Israeli national volunteer project connected to military support. The association was established by Yehuda Meir Indor and Cantors, and Israeli general Aharon Davidi was invited to serve as its first director. The program was created to enable volunteers to contribute to Israel Defense Forces support functions without entering regular military enlistment or performing combat service. In its early development, Sar-El drew many participants from the United States and France. Volunteers were placed in rear army or air-force facilities, where they generally performed practical work connected with logistics, maintenance, workshops, and equipment. This arrangement allowed the organization to provide manpower for routine support activities while offering overseas supporters a formal service experience in Israel. The program's eligibility model accommodates both Israelis living abroad and non-Israeli citizens. Non-Israeli participants are generally eligible from age 17, or from age 16 when accompanied by a parent. Israeli citizens who did not complete their national service requirement may participate under a different age condition, generally from age 30. Sar-El also accepts Jewish and non-Jewish supporters of Israel. Service periods are usually organized around three weeks, with shorter one-week and two-week alternatives also available. The work is non-combatant and normally takes place on rear bases rather than in frontline units. In the United States, a separate nonprofit organization known as Volunteers for Israel has helped organize participation. Sar-El's international reach expanded beyond its early American and French base, with volunteers reported from more than 60 countries. Sar-El received the Speaker's Prize in 1988. The organization has been associated with several notable volunteers, including American politician Rahm Emanuel, who served during the Gulf War, and American politician and veteran Brian Mast. Reference material also reports 881 volunteers from the United States in 2015. The supplied sources do not establish Sar-El's current leadership, present volunteer numbers, detailed financial structure, or whether its website and operations remain active at the same scale.

• 2015

  Reported United States participation

  [1]Sar-Elen.wikipedia.org

  The available reference reports 881 volunteers from the United States in 2015 and participation from more than 60 countries overall.

• 1988

  Speaker's Prize recognition

  [1]Sar-Elen.wikipedia.org

  Sar-El received the Speaker's Prize for its contribution as a volunteer organization.

• 1983

  Sar-El is founded

  [1]Sar-Elen.wikipedia.org

  Yehuda Meir Indor and Cantors founded the association in spring 1983. Aharon Davidi was invited to become its first director.

A structured international volunteer program offering limited-term, non-combat service with the Israeli military, positioned between national-service participation, humanitarian volunteering, and organized Israel-support activity.

• Volunteer service program · 1983

  Sar-El volunteer service placement

  Sar-El's principal offering is a short-term, non-combat volunteer placement connected to the Israeli Defense Forces. Participants generally serve on rear army or air-force bases and carry out practical support work in logistics, maintenance, workshops, storage, and equipment-related activities. The normal service period is approximately three weeks, with one-week and two-week alternatives also available. The program is open to eligible Israelis living abroad and to non-Israeli supporters of Israel.

1. 1Sar-Elen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sar-El official websitesar-el.org