Volunteers

Volunteers
State Medal, 5743 - 1983

To give wholeheartedly "without a view to receiving a reward" is the essence of volunteer activity for which Jews have always been well-known and, according to Judaism, is the highest of virtues between man and man. The giver of charity gives of his money only, and helps only the poor, but the volunteer gives also of himself, and of his precious time, helping rich and poor alike. In 1972, the Israeli Government founded the "Center for Volunteer Services", for even in an organized, modern society, the personal dimension is necessary. The Center's motto "To give is also to receive" expresses perfectly the friendship and partnership that develop between the "giver" and the "receiver".

Obverse: A chain of hands holding hearts, in the form of a Star of David, expressing the essence of volunteer activity.

Reverse: The verse: "Because with a perfect heart they volunteered..."(Chronicles 1:29.9) in Hebrew and English, and the emblem of the Center for Volunteer Services in Israel.

Edge: Gold medals - milled. Silver and bronze medals - the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English, the emblem of the State of Israel and the serial number "Silver 935" on the silver medals.

Serialization: All the medals with a smooth Edge are numbered.
Bronze - 2179 numbered, 12 have been melted.
Silver - 1199 numbered, 7 have been melted.

Designer: David Ben-Hador

Engraving: Victor Huster

Mint: Gold and Bronze - Moshe Hecht
Silver - The Government Mint, Jerusalem.