My First Blog

Hi. This is my first attempt at blogging. I don't know how well I'll be at it, I was never very good at creative writing and such, I never kept a journal or diary, most of my writing was of a technical nature. So why am i sitting here after 55 years and trying my luck at this?? First of all, I know that for the kids (sorry that I call you young adults kids) whom are getting ready for this big step in life, their emotions are many and varied, the same for the parents, but you should know that we here are also dealing with a full range of emotions. Therefore, I want to put them down and share with others.

I myself came here by myself leaving my family in the states and joined the army over 35 years ago. When I sat down for the first time and met the kids during their interviews and heard their reasons for wanting to join the IDF, I felt chills in my body and remembered why I came here years before. I suddenly realized that over the years a coating of cynicism had covered my original intentions and dreams and suddenly just hearing the kids began to peel it away. I began to realize that more than "things" having changed, I myself had changed and now I was zapped back to the source, to the origin. The trip was both fulfilling and eye opening and I began to see things in a different shade. I liked it. This may explain a bit of how I feel.

I am fortunate that I am able to funnel these new found energies into making preparations for the August 5th arrival of the garin. I feel that what I am doing is what I would like to do for my own kids. Its especially significant in these days when we find ourselves in Israel being pushed into a corner, being so isolated and feeling that it is almost impossible to understand how most of the world is blind to the facts and truth. Through all this, what holds us together here is our mutual appreciation and love for our soldiers whom are always there to defend us. We all put them above and beyond all the criticism being heard and will do anything to protect them. And we know now that we will being helping some of the most idealistic individuals that we know fulfill their dream of contributing to the Jewish state and people by joining the IDF. You should also know that this excitement is contagious and most of the staff shares my thoughts.

Well, I'll sign off for now and I'll continue n the next day or two with some more concrete info.