JCFR President Amy Nisenson joined forces with her husband, David; and G.D. Rothenberg, Luis Margalit and Desiree Addy – in the recent Partnership2Gether Hadera-Eiron-SE Consortium’s Volunteer Mission in Israel.
Together with more than 20 volunteers from other cities in the Southeast Consortium, the full group’s efforts were aimed at embodying their shared values through acts of support to help Israel.
G.D. Rothenberg reflected, “Our focus was on what we could do right now to help Israelis. Being on the ground in Israel, and showing support was important for me. We were lavishly thanked everywhere we went. Being in Israel this time, was unlike any other of my many trips. My first trip was in 1971.”
He noted, “All was well-organized for us … we provided emotional support too .. we worked well together with all the volunteers.”
During their stay in Israel, the volunteers made a difference for many facing staffing challenges.
Here is one of the Thank You Messages to the volunteers.
A Thank You from the Aloney Yitchak Youth Village
“On April 3rd, we were so honored to welcome a group of volunteers from the Partnership2Gether Hadera-Eiron-SE Consortium with the help of Yahel Israel at the village.
“… after landing at the airport, these tireless individuals came to build picnic tables and a deck for our students, worked at our organic farm picking and sorting papaya, and prepared cookies and cakes to be delivered to an army base later that day.
“After joining us for a communal lunch at our dining hall, they met with students who spoke with them about their experiences making aliyah on their own, their feelings post October 7th, and their plans and dreams for the future.
“It was truly inspiring for our students to see adults who left their regular jobs, routines, and families just to support Israel. Thank you so much for sharing your time, energy, and dedication with us.”
The following are highlights of a few other days.
Day Two Mission
Volunteers began by renovating the Beit Harishonim Community Center in Hadera that serves residents of all ages in the neighborhood, from young to old.
This included building seating areas, painting and mural art on the walls, and packing food for distribution to those in need ahead of the Passover holiday.
The day continued with a visit to Kibbutz Magal, in the Menashe Regional Council, where they learned about kibbutz life, agricultural innovation, and took a geopolitical tour of life alongside Palestinian villages beyond the green line.
Next, the group proceeded to the ecological greenhouse in Ein Shemer and heard about how children and youth from all sectors of Israeli society learn and research together about solutions for the earth in terms of climate, food, water, waste, energy, consumption, and society.
The day concluded with dinners at host families from the region.
Another Thank You and review of more highlights.
Thank You from Partnership Director Shimrit Orgal
“The mission has ended, and the volunteers are on their way home.
“In the last two days, the group continued volunteering in agricultural work in Moshav Achituv with the most delicious tomatoes, and food packaging that operates for the benefit of families in Pardes Hanna-Karkur by collecting, packing, and distributing food.
“A trip to Ofakim in the southern part of the country exposed the group to stories of the October 7 events in a neighborhood where more than 20 terrorists entered and murdered over 50 residents.
“he group continued to volunteer in the Kitchen of Hope of Chabad House by packing food for Passover.
“The group ended the day at the Hostages Square, hearing the stories of two of the hostages, two out of 134 who are still held by Hamas for 181 days.
“Thank you to our exceptional volunteers whose dedication continually reinforces the essence of our partnership—that it’s the individuals, the human connection, that truly define our collaborative efforts.
“Through volunteering, we engage in a direct people2people connection, transcending barriers and fostering empathy and understanding between communities. It’s through these personal interactions and acts of kindness that we build bridges and create meaningful change together.”
Another Richmond volunteer, Desiree Addy, offered a reflection on her experience.
“The trip was amazing and life empowerment for me. I spent 4 days in Jerusalem with family prior to my Mission, and the Mission was everything that I had prayed for and more.”
Richmond Mission leader Amy Nisenson noted, “Volunteers, like those on the Partnership2Gether Hadera-Eiron-SE Consortium Israel mission, have become crucial for sustaining Israel’s economy amidst a scarcity of both foreign, Palestinian and domestic talent deployed to the war. It was powerful experience for us.”
A few more photos from the visit and see a video below
Here is a video from part of the Mission.
