Grandma's army

The armed forces are not the only forces in Israel. No less powerful are the forces of grass roots activities which have spread out across Israel in their thousands. This was brought home to me by my eleven-year old great-granddaughter who, together with her younger brother, prepares sandwiches once a week for the needy. The project all began approximately four months ago, when   a married couple Ravid and   Aya Strul from Hadera initiated a completely new concept. They loaded into their car a small children’s table, a chair, homemade wrapped sandwiches, and a placard with the words “a sandwich for   anyone in need – free”. The plan was to   look for a likely place in which to unload. They described the first time as thinking “you have an idea how it will start but have no idea how it will end”. Not only has it not ended but it grows from day to day. The Hadera volunteers now run a bigger stall two days a week always on the same days and tim...

All four grandchildren still serving in the IDF are advancing in their particular fields. We are very proud of my granddaughter who just finished an officer’s course. Also of my grandson, serving in the armoured corps, who has just finished a preliminary officer’s course. The two army celebrations took place last month on the same day. Amitai, who is one of triplets, gave me a brief account of his activities in the armoured corps. He began his army training a year ago. He admits that it was hard for him to adjust to army discipline and in the many pressures involved in army life   - especially since he had previously been studying in a Yeshiva (Talmudical college) for over a year.   However, the congenial atmosphere and the comradeship of his fellow soldiers helped to overcome the difficulties. Spending hours together in a very confined space turned them almost into a family unit . Although they were very strict, he   felt only respect for his excellent commanding...