He said he originally signed up for the mission because he wanted to get involved and do something good for Israel after Oct. 7. SAR-EL makes all the accommodations, and he didn’t know where or what he would be doing until he arrived at Ben-Gurion airport.

During these two weeks, he went to an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) military base near Tel Aviv. Each day, he put together essential medical supplies needed on the front lines for the entire army.

“The work was tedious and repetitive, but important,” he said. “They count on the medical supplies in the field. It was so nice being a member of a team. I felt so appreciated for the work I was doing.”

He also got a 24-7 experience of what it was like to be “in the military” from sleeping accommodations, to daily schedule, to food, to uniform. The food? Not bad, he said! He was completely immersed among soldiers and civilians on the base.

“It was one of the most meaningful, enjoyable experiences I have ever had,” he said.

He also met many people –Jjewish and non-Jewish - from all over the world who were there for the same purpose. The average age of the volunteers was 65 and he said nobody complained.

“Each person has a different story with how and why they went on the mission,” he said. “They all felt like the work resonated with them and felt such a deep connection to Israel.”

Sklare also had the opportunity to go off base and spend Shabbat with his brother in Jerusalem.

He felt a much stronger commitment to Israel and to his local Jewish community after the trip and plans to go on another volunteer mission to Israel.