The purpose of Sar-El is to enable supporters from around the world, and at home, to contribute to the security of the State of Israel by assisting on IDF bases in a logistical support role.
In the summer of 1982, in the midst of the Galilee War, Golan Heights communities faced the disastrous prospect of losing their entire agricultural crop. The majority of able-bodied farmers and other workers were called up for army reserve duty and entire farms, with crops already ripened, were left unattended due to the acute manpower shortage.
Dr. Aharon Davidi (z”l ), the former head of the IDF Paratrooper and Infantry Corps, was then Director of Community and Cultural Activities of the Golan and Jordan Valley. Touched by the farmers’ distress, he sent friends as a recruitment team to the United States. Within a few weeks, some 650 volunteers arrived in Israel to lend their support through volunteer labor. Realizing the merits of that action, those first volunteers expressed their wish that the project be continued as an ongoing volunteer organization. As a result, in the Spring of 1983, Sar-El – The National Project for Volunteers for Israel, was founded as a non-profit, non-political organization (“Sar-El” is the Hebrew acronym meaning “Service for Israel”). Over the years, volunteers from other countries began to participate in the project, and to date, Sar-El is represented in over 30 countries worldwide.
A number of its Jewish volunteers have since made “Aliyah” and have become Israeli citizens. Sar-El’s achievements over many years led to General Davidi being awarded the annual Moskowitz Prize for Zionism in 2010.
Since its inception from 1982 until today (May 2024) the Sar-El volunteer Project has brought in over 240,000 volunteers (40,000 since October 7, 2023 alone), providing broad logistical support to the IDF on bases throughout the country.
1. Sar-El volunteers take-on routine, logistical support tasks normally assigned to active-duty soldiers and reservists allowing them to be free for other duties or to return home to their families.
2. To build a stronger link between the IDF and the Diaspora as well as with new olim.
3. Our volunteers are highly flexible, serving anywhere they are needed around the country.
4. The Sar-El program is a morale booster and motivator for the soldiers.
5Volunteers learn about, and gain appreciation for, the experience of IDF soldiers.
1. Create opportunities for Diaspora-based Jews and friends of Israel to make meaningful contributions to Israel, and in so doing, build friendships and connection with the Jewish people and our land.
2. Inspire and build a new generation of volunteers while strengthening Jewish identity and connection to Israel among Diaspora teens and young adults who participate in the program
3. Provide quality logistical support to the Israel Defense Forces through the efforts of our strongly motivated volunteers from around the world.
4. Encourage program participants to organize, promote and participate in initiatives at home and abroad in support of the State of Israel
5. Offer a realistic view of life in Israel and encourage the possibilities for Aliyah among Jewish participants
Sar-El PO Box 953 Kiron 5510802, Israel
+972 58‑471‑9966 | info@sar-el.org