Sergeant Ben Haim with Stanley Stone

With two suitcases full of informative material, and little room for her personal things, Sergeant Keren Ben-Haim started out on her Hasbara (information) mission to Partnership 2000 communities in Central New Jersey (Union County)

Keren, a native of Arad, is presently serving in the Search and Rescue Unit of the IDF Home Front Command as a soldier and instructor. In the beginning of June, she was asked to come to the US in order explain a bit about what the Israeli soldiers are going through during their regular service and during these hard times. Keren received special permission from the IDF Spokesman to appear in uniform.

Although she had only a week's time in the US, she left a powerful impression on all of her hosts. During that week she spoke to audiences in synagogues, school children, and various committees of the Federation of Central New Jersey. She even visited a kindergarten where the children had collected two boxes of coins for Israel. She was visibly moved when the little ones sang a prayer for her and asked her questions about Israel.

A few local newspapers also interviewed Keren. At all her appearances she moved the audiences with her personal stories, especially when she told about her participation in the Versailles Wedding Hall disaster in Jerusalem (May 2001). She and her unit played an active role when the top floor collapsed and 24 were killed under the rubble.

"In the world media the Israeli soldier has been given the image of the bad guy, I'm here to change that image" said Keren "Those same soldiers are my friends. They are just kids, and they are fighting a difficult war." She also told her audiences " W e go around with anxiety in our hearts everyday, every minute, but we also have to continue to ride buses, go dancing, and continue to live our lives."

On her return, Keren was asked what were the achievements of her trip. "I wanted to make the American Jews understand how we feel and what we are going through everyday so the bond between us will be strengthened and their support of Israel will continue".

Av 5762 - August 2002