Gadi’s Reflections on Volunteering in Israel

Even though it is a dark time in Israel, the spirit of the whole country was nothing short of uplifting. The whole country is volunteering in one way or another. There are thousands of Israeli volunteers helping Israel’s desperate farmers. There was never a shortage of volunteers. Some people were volunteering individually, some were part of entire workplaces which shut down operations for the day just to help. There were also entire families who came together. The farmers were very thankful and continually expressed their gratitude.

The first day, I asked a farmer “Are we really helping?” He looked at me and said “Helping? You are saving us”.

Later that day, a farmer took me aside and told me that, this time he really hopes that the terror that he has been living in for the last twenty years will end. He showed me the damage caused by a rocket hitting a greenhouse. Then, he led me outside and showed me more damage caused by the rockets. He also showed me damage from the infiltration of terrorists on October 7.

They committed an atrocity of which I will spare you the details.

Those days were spent working on the border of Gaza, from which I could hear the sound of artillery, the Air Force flying over, the sounds of war.

My nieces and nephews decided that I should not be by myself. Each day, one of them volunteered with me. They were very touched by my coming to Israel and by the commitment of all of the volunteers with me.

I encourage everyone to find a time to visit Israel and volunteer or help in any way that you can. May all the hostages be freed speedily, may we know peace soon.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Gadi Galili
Ritual Director
ggalili@parksyn.org