As promised, I’ve just come back from the first Garin Tzabar
seminar and here’s what happened. By the way, I’m sorry these posts might not
be as exciting as future ones may be – there’s no running up hills, no long
marches and no shooting to be spoken of, but as I’ve explained, I wanted this
blog to take the reader from the very first steps of IDF service with Garin
Tzabar, right the way through (to the more exciting stuff).
The seminar ran from Friday afternoon until Sunday
afternoon. On the Friday I came down from Leeds and was excited to meet the
group. If these were the people I was supposed to spend some of the most
gruelling years of my life with, it would be a bonus if we got along, and they
certainly didn’t disappoint. By the end of the weekend, I felt as if I’d known
these people for months. The group is a real mix of people, from 17 to 23 year
olds, and so far there are 13 people in our Garin (although that number will no
doubt change).
The moment we first sat down in our first session, reality
kicked in. This was really happening. After years of thinking about this,
planning it all, it was really happening. I am about to up and move to the
country I love and call home, to go and defend it. And these were the people
that are to become my family. It was a strange moment.
The sessions were focussed largely on group-bonding
exercises and intro-sessions on the whole Garin Tzabar process. For one of the
group exercises, we were told that we had broken a Garin Tzabar record on our
time completing the task – a good sign for the future!
One of the main things that came out of this seminar was the
importance of learning Hebrew. At each seminar there is a Hebrew lesson, where
I chose to stretch myself in the advanced class with the near-fluent speakers.
It was challenging, but I think that’s the only way to learn the language –
stepping outside of your comfort zone and not being afraid to make mistakes.
There is a Hebrew test at each seminar, and we HAVE to show improvement at each
one, otherwise we could be kicked out of the Garin. This all culminates in the
fourth and final seminar in May, when the Delegation from Israel, including an
army representative, comes and interviews us in Hebrew. This is the most
important part of this preparatory process. I have to make sure that there is
no chance I am sent to Michve Alon (the army Ulpan), because with my age (22 by
the time I get there), the army might see me more as a burden than a help, and
so might reject me.
The second question that was answered for me at the seminar
was Religious vs. European Garin. There are Garinim from all over the world,
mostly divided up according to geography. So there is the European Garin (our
one), LA garin, New York Garin etc. There are also Religious Garinim that cater
for observant Olim. Being religiously observant myself, I didn’t know whether
to stay with the European Garin or move to a religious one. However, I was told
categorically that I would not suit the Religious Garin environment; boys and
girls are kept separate, you have to pray 3 times a day – it’s all a bit much
for me, even though I do keep Shabbat, Kashrut etc. It’s just not the
atmosphere I want. Plus, if the 13 of us are this close already, I can’t imagine
how close we will be once we get to our Kibbutz. Why would I want to up and
leave the group? So looks like I’m staying with the European Garin.
At the end of the seminar we were all asked to sum up how we
were feeling. I said that going there, I was 100% sure of my decision and now I
am 150% sure. Though the journey will be long, and the obstacles will be huge,
I have made the decision to fulfil my dream – to become a part of the future of
the Jewish people, and to defend its State. Plus, I’ll be doing all that with
an amazing group of people.
The next seminar is the beginning of March, and will focus
on the precise details of the Army, its units, its tests etc. Will report back
then!
