MADRICHA.  A WORD THAT RHYMES WITH HATICHA, HAMUDA, HACHAMA, NECHMADA, YEDIDA, HAVERA MEULA.  Sorry, no English translations—sweat it out, like I did, through my Hebrew/English dictionary. 

Who are those marvellous, incredibly gifted 18-19 year old kids?  Are they the product of excellent army selection and training?  Perhaps.  But I suspect that there is more, much more, to what it takes to make a madricha.  Something which cannot be taught, even by very capable instructors.  Something inborn, traits of character some where fortunate enough to inherit from their parents, which of course competent training and education help to enhance.

They are an amalgam of qualities which in other young people would seem contradictory, perhaps even paradoxical:

1)     Sophisticated and mature beyond their age, yet youthful, fresh, cheerful, bright-eyed idealists.
2)     Serious, dependable adults with high standards of responsibility, yet playful, humorous and a joy to be with.
3)     Strong minded and firm when the situation calls for, while sweet and kind when dealing with people’s vulnerabilities.
4)     Young women any parent would be proud to call daughters.

Let’s take a few minutes and examine what is demanded of those intelligent, talented, big-hearted young madrichot.  They are handed a large group of mostly pleasant and enthusiastic volunteers from every corner of the world, men and women of all ages, cultures and personalities, and made responsible for their safety and wellbeing.  Volunteers that fully understood the conditions of the fair but modest accommodations and amenities Sar-El and the Israeli army can provide and that they are there to make a contribution to Israel.  However, like in any other group, there are always a few of those who misunderstood or did not want to understand what was clearly explained to them before volunteering: difficult folks, demanding folks, people who expected an army base to be the military equivalent of a Tel Aviv five star hotel.  And that’s when those wonderful young madrichot display their talents, competence, and most of all, their innate goodness and understanding.  No Sar-El volunteer, whether easy-going or difficult, ever leaves his/her assigned army base workplace without a tremendous sense of appreciation and long-lasting love for those dedicated and enthusiastic young madrichot.

They are the tireless, always alert shepherdesses of a flock of well-meaning but sometimes imprudent and careless lambs who when, for instance, taken for an excursion through some old twisting streets and alleys of an ancient Israeli town to enjoy some interesting historical sights of antiquity, they would stray, lag behind the main group, thus contributing to the premature aging of 19 year old kids who really should be enjoying their youth among their peers instead.  But they have chosen otherwise.  They have opted instead to guide and protect those who came to help Israel through their labour, support and presence.  They have resigned themselves, among other chores, to be constantly counting and recounting their charges as they escort them back and forth from one place to another.  The only time I saw them relax during any of the sightseeing trips was when, after a final head count in the bus taking us back to the base, they finally sat down exhausted.

So dear madrichot, please accept this grateful former (and hopefully future) volunteer’s sincerest thanks and appreciation.  You are the greatest!  If I had a son, I would wish him only that he would be fortunate enough to marry a madricha.  Heck, if I were single and three months younger, I would go for one myself!

Thanks!