What’s Trending December 2023
Volunteer Opportunities Soar Amidst Israeli War Efforts
As the Swords of Iron war in Israel intensifies, the demand for volunteers has surged, with nearly half of the population already engaged in various capacities. Despite the significant volunteer turnout, the need for additional support remains critical due to a labor shortage caused by reserve duty call-ups and challenges foreign workers face.
In response to this urgent call for assistance, several initiatives have emerged, welcoming both English-speaking and Israeli volunteers to contribute to crucial areas such as emergency medical care, agriculture, and food programs.
The Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP) has expanded its efforts beyond it's professional firefighters initiative. The EVP Mass-Feeding Unit collaborates with Israel's Home Front Command, training volunteers to prepare nutritious meals for IDF units and vulnerable populations using mobile kitchens. Simultaneously, the EVP Make A Soldier Smile project has volunteers cooking meals at field kitchens on army bases.
The Israel Food Rescue Mission, a collaborative effort involving HaShomer HaChadash, Kol Israel, Leket Israel, and Brothers in Arms, addresses the agricultural labor crisis caused by the war. Foreign volunteers with a valid passport and the ability to commit to at least ten days of agricultural work are encouraged to apply, with travel and lodging subsidies available.
Jewish National Fund USA has organized five-day volunteer missions in Israel from December 10-14. Participants aged 18 and above will engage in agricultural work, assist displaced families, or support logistical duties at an IDF base while being housed in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
Adopt-A-Safta extends a warm welcome to foreign volunteers with access to a vehicle, sending them to deliver Shabbat meals to isolated seniors in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, many of whom are Holocaust survivors. Volunteers for Israel and Sar-El Israel offer civilian opportunities for volunteer service on IDF bases, contributing to the overall war effort.
OneFamily seeks volunteers to provide diverse services to victims of terror, ranging from cooking and baking to hospital visits and administrative support, including social media, photography, and phone answering.
In a unique initiative, Citrus & Salt in Tel Aviv has temporarily shifted its focus from cooking workshops to launch Citizen's Kitchen. The project, run by sisters Aliya Fastman and Shaendl Davis along with Alon Sharaby, collaborates with World Central Kitchen to provide 500 daily fresh meals for Israeli soldiers and displaced families. The volunteer effort is predominantly staffed by English-speaking immigrants and visitors.
It has been incredible to see how people worldwide have been coming to give of themselves in Israel's time of need. Time and time again we are seeing how food and volunteering bring people closer together.
Israel21c has been putting all of this information together, to stay up to date follow their page: https://www.israel21c.org/
