Executive Director

I am currently volunteering for the IDF for two weeks on an army base in the central district of Israel near a town called Petah Tikvah, its name meaning Door of Hope. Every morning, before we begin our workday, we meet in a common area of the base for a flag raising ceremony. During the flag raising we sing the Hatikvah, which means The Hope. This is my third time volunteering for the IDF and each time I am impacted in new ways. This time I am experiencing a feeling of hope. 

I am here working with 32 other volunteers from around the world including those from Argentina, Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, and the U.S. I find this to be an amazing representation of the international community who are here to show their love and support for Israel. And many of these volunteers are not Jewish. This gives me great hope that while there is an increase in anti-Semitism at home and abroad, there are many from around the world who are standing up to Jewish hate, regardless of their religion. 

I like to ask the volunteers and lone soldiers on the base what motivated them to be here and why they volunteered for the IDF. The sentiment is typically a love for Israel, a connection to Israel, and the desire to give back to Israel (I have my own motivation that I can tell you about during Kiddush one day). But I find it particularly interesting to hear what motivated those who are not Jewish. 

One volunteer who I have been working side by side with this week is a 37 year old from Germany named Patrick. His response was different and had a profound impact on me. He said that he harbors such a deep feeling of shame and sadness for the atrocities that his country has committed against the Jewish people that he felt the need to give back and support Israel and the Jewish people. Cornel from Sweden was inspired to volunteer after taking a religion class taught by Elie Wiesel at Boston University and hearing about his plight. Sophia from Moscow is here to explore her recently discovered Jewish roots. Steve from Texas said he is here simply because he loves the Jewish people. And I could keep going, but each of these examples give me hope that there are those at home and abroad who love and support Israel, even those of a different faith. 

There are even Israelis living abroad who came back to volunteer. And although currently there is political unrest in Israel, Israelis are coming together to support, strengthen and protect Israel. This gives me hope that no matter what, national unity will ensure that Israel will remain strong, Israel will survive, and Israel will thrive. 

My work this week on the army base consisted primarily of packing dozens of large crates of medical supplies, loading them on pallets, wrapping them in shrink wrap, and transporting them to warehouses. These medical supplies are used not only for IDF soldiers, but are also used for humanitarian aid wherever it’s needed (including Gaza and Lebanon) and whenever there is a crisis somewhere in the world as a result of earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. The IDF is usually among the first to respond to these disasters to help with search and rescue and provide medical care. You won’t hear about this from the media, but I have hope that our belief in Tikkun Olam, and our actions towards that goal, will inspire others domestically and internationally to support Israel. 

I hope you have a peaceful and restful Shabbat.