My friend Tal has a big week ahead of her – she’s starting her IDF (Israeli army) service. I am completely supportive of both the IDF and of Israel’s policy of national service. It’s easy for me to say that, though – a Gentile living in a quiet British village.
I want Tal to know how much I admire her for what she is about to do.
She’s a wonderful friend to have. Fun, thoughtful, kind and almost unbearably cute. Cool, too – when she was a schoolgirl she gave a speech at the launch of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. We had a lot of fun in London during her summer visit which I dubbed the Beyond Beseder days. (She’s the one in the blue tops.) Lots more fun to come in the future.
In the meantime, I know she’s going to do just great with the challenge to come. We’re all very proud of you, Tal.
Friends of Israel, please feel free to leave a supportive message for Tal on the comments form below. Let’s show her some admiration!
Hey good luck to Tal.
בהצלחה בדרכך בצה”ל !
Hi Tal
It was great to meet you in the summer.
Our appreciation, thanks and admiration for the IDF knows no bounds. Only yesterday former British Army Colonel Richard Kemp CBE testified in Geneva at the HRC as follows: “Mr. President, based on my knowledge and experience, I can say this: During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defence Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone [in Gaza in January] than any other army in the history of warfare.”
(He’s the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan. He served with NATO and the United Nations; commanded troops in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Macedonia; and participated in the Gulf War. He has spent considerable time in Iraq since the 2003 invasion and worked on international terrorism for the UK Government’s Joint Intelligence Committee).
You have all our good wishes and gratitude for your army service – Jonathan
Tal we have not met but if you are a friend of Chas you are a friend of mine. Thanks for helping look after the country I will be calling home.
X
Hey Tal, Hope all’s well. I’m a friend of Chas’s and he told me what You’re about to do so I just wanted to wish You luck! Take care. Chris. x
Shavuah tov Tal,
Best of luck and be careful
Hi Tal, best of luck (with a large serving of hummous on the side). I’m sure hanging out with Chas has given you lots of practise in dealing with difficult situations [Please don't hit me Mr N-B!]. But seriously, much gratitude to you and the IDF for all that you do. I’ll be rooting for you and your compatriots out in Eretz.
Haha! Cheeky Monkey!
Yo, Tal!
You sure know how much i love you, mate. Have a lot of luck, love, and remember i always got your back!
xx
It appears as if you had a fun time of it in the summer. As you say Chas, I’m sure she’ll do everyone proud.
Hi Tal,
If there’s one thing I’d like to say to you it’s that I volunteered to serve in the IDF, and when I served I had a number of ceremonies where I met my Magadim (Battalion commanders, to us English speakers) personally and received prizes, treats and gift vouchers. When I left the army, I wrote a letter to all my comrades in arms to say that I understand why people make a fuss over the volunteers, but really I think that a lot more respect should go to Israeli soldiers; volunteers are highly motivated people normally, but I think that every Israeli who grows up knowing that they will have to serve at the age of 18 (or a little later) – they are the real heroes! The Israelis who really don’t want to be in the army, who are a little afraid of joining this massive “machine,” but still do it because they know that it’s morally correct… kol hakavod, Tal!
Tal, I never went to the IDF, I was too old when I made aliyah. Because of that I want you to know that I have an enormous appreciation for those Israelis who do and did serve. Let me tell you that I whenever I see an IDF soldier, I know he/she is protecting me and my family. Chazak veAmetz!
Hi Tal,
I wish you “sherut kal”!
The service today must be much easier than it was in my time, no more “luf” in the army so don’t worry!
Lots of luck Tal and stay safe.
Hi Tal,
We haven’t met, but as an Israeli mum who has already sent 3 boys and one girl to the army (with one still to go) I can imagine just how excited but apprehensive you must be right now, so I’d like to wish you all the very best. There will be great days and there will be really bad days, but I’m sure you’ll come through them all כמו גדולה. With such a lovely smile as yours, you’ll be just fine!
The most important thing to remember though throughout your whole army service is to CALL YOUR MUM whenever you can!!
!שמרי על עצמך ותעשי חיים
Yes, Tal: call Ilana/Mrs Jones!! ;p
Peter -you have reminded me of a funny story. When our youngest was in 2nd Grade, the teacher took them out on a nature walk one day near their school which is on the shores of Lake Kinneret. She pointed out a plant to the children and told them that it’s called Luf and that it’s poisonous, to which youngest son retorted ‘No it isn’t! My brother is in the army and he eats it every day.’!
Hatzlacha Tal
savour the experience. it will be the biggest learning curve of your life. enjoy it. i miss my army days! good luck tal.
Thank you all. I am very touched by this gesture by all of you (but mostly , Chas;). I’m really excited to finally join the army, I hope it would be a place that I could easily call home for the next six years.
Thank you all for making my enlisting day such a special day!
Good luck!
Tal, thank you for the important work you are about to do. God bless the IDF and all the soldiers protecting the amazing country that is Israel. You have my utmost admiration.
Tal,
Go safely and come back safely and in peace.
I am sure you will do Israel proud!
I know you’ll be looking forward to more fun and happy times with the lovely Mr C.N.B. and your other friends.
Brenda x
dear tal,
thank you for all you are doing in serving israel. wishing you hatzlacha and many blessings for your time in the army. i have israeli friends who served and i know that it will really be a great experience for you.
keep safe! x
Tal, b’hatzalcha. I served two years in the tzavah and they were some of the best years of my life. Remember how much you are doing for your country, even when standing outside in the rain and wind holding a rifle and thinking why am I doing this, because you are doing something no Jew for thousands of years could do, you are standing up and defending yourself. Be proud, be strong and don’t be rude to the American tourists asking for bullets just to talk to a pretty chayelet.
המון בהצלחה! תשמרי על עצמך וגם עלינו!!!!!!!!!י
Best of luck Tal. Any friend of Chas’s is a friend of mine.
Joe
Good luck, Tal. Be hatzlacha. xxx
Have a great time, be safe – enjoy!
Tal. I send you these good wishes with love & admiration for you and the IDF for their work in protecting our beloved Israel.
B’Hatzlacha!
Best wishes to you Tal.
Kol HaKavod, Tal!! You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers with all the beautiful boys and girls of the IDF who watch over Israel.