Life in Israel: Another Police Volunteer Goes on the Long Patrol

5 Kislev, 5767; 25 November, 2006
Ma'aleh Levona,
Israel

You never know who you will meet in the small world that is the Jewish community. Appearances are very deceiving. An old man, or someone who looks like an old man, may be a treasure trove or a genius. I have met several people like this as a police volunteer who are members of our unit. I originally met Alan Novins on a bus traveling to the Russian Compound, which is where the Israel Police is headquartered in Jerusalem. He was tall, white haired with a thoughtful and intelligent face. How intelligent the mind behind the face really was disclosed itself over time.

Alan Novins grew up in New England, went to top flight universities in the United States, involved himself in politics, and became an influential lawyer with the firm of Lobel, Novins & Lamont in Washington D.C. He retired to Israel where he chose to volunteer in the unit I serve in. When I first entered the unit four years ago, he wore sergeant’s stripes on his uniform. He was the fellow you went to when you needed an addition to the uniform; he went along on target practices and gun training, assisting with such tasks as making sure everyone who was supposed to be there was there, making sure that each person’s score was recorded, things of this nature.

As Novins acquired higher rank, first becoming a first sergeant, and then a second lieutenant, his tasks increased, and his quiet way with people smoothed many issues along and got things done. Every unit needs a competent administration officer who gets the business of the unit done, and Alan’s lawyering skills made him an excellent administration officer. He dealt with all things administrative — payroll, information management, uniforms supply and the like.

Article Author: Ruvy

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