By: Jannie Tolhoek

From dawn till dusk, a group of Christian volunteers recently spent ten days traveling all around Israel to help local farmers in their fields, distribute food parcels to the needy, clean the homes of Holocaust survivors, and paint apartments for new Jewish immigrants. Yet this latest ICEJ Hands-On Serving Tour opened their eyes to a much deeper, lasting work being done not with hands, but with their hearts. 

The tour included stops at various ICEJ AID projects throughout Israel, as well as visits to such historic sites as Herodian and Tel Gezer. 

At a new Agro-Tech High School the ICEJ sponsors in the Western Negev, the group worked alongside Israeli students in cucumber fields and then ate lunch together. The Israeli teens shared how the school has given them a sense of purpose.  

Asaf, the school’s founder, explained his vision to reconnect the younger generation with modern Israel’s early pioneer roots, to encourage a new type of Zionism.  

“We cannot thank the ICEJ enough for coming alongside us in establishing this school”, Asaf stated. “We are proud that you come so often and bring groups to our school. This is leaving an imprint on these students.” 

In the vineyards of another farm, they met Ori, who was recently released from reserve duty and is helping his elderly grandparents keep the family farm alive during wartime. As the Christian volunteers worked in the vineyards of their farm, Ori shared his dream of transforming it into a flourishing winery. Over coffee and Dutch cookies, Ori asked the visitors: “Why did you come?” 

“When you in Israel are facing trouble, we feel a deep pain”, Harmen answered. “We want to come lend a helping hand.” 

“We pray, we give financially, we speak out on social media, but above all, we want to be here to show you that Israel has friends in the nations”, added his wife Zwanneke. 

More than two years into the war, Israeli farmers are struggling with labour shortages and uncertainty. Ori told the volunteers, “There is no one like you. You are a gift from heaven.”  

The group also spent time at Kibbutz Dorot, near the Gaza border. Yael guided them through the archives, telling stories of pioneers who arrived in 1941 when there was “just one tree and the rest desert.” Looking around at the flourishing fields and gardens today, the volunteers could hardly comprehend the transformation.  

“It is a miracle what the Jewish people have made of the Negev,” Harmen exclaimed.  

“This tour is surpassing my expectations,” Zwanneke insisted.  

The tour also included distributing food to struggling families across Israel. Avi, who oversees the food distribution effort, thanked the volunteers warmly. 

“We don’t take lightly that you are here during this time”, he assured. “We love the ICEJ very much, and they always bring us great volunteers.”  

“What a great opportunity to connect with people, not just giving food, but making them feel seen”, volunteer Arend reflected afterwards.  

Later at the ICEJ’s Home for Holocaust survivors in Haifa, the Christian volunteers cleaned the physio room and spent precious moments with 95-year-old Renate, who rebuilt her life after surviving the Holocaust in Germany. She read some of her poems aloud, revealing deep pain and remarkable resilience. Despite everything she has endured, the volunteers were struck by her humour and “the twinkle in her eyes”. 

In Ashdod, the volunteers painted the basement of a home for new Jewish immigrants, which is being remodelled into an activities center. Later, over tea, they listened to new immigrants Valerie and Tami describe finally arriving in Israel after years of struggle proving their Jewish identity. Tami was overwhelmed when he learned the volunteers had paid their own way to come serve. 

“I could not imagine that people would do this,” he said quietly. “Why now? The world has gone crazy in the last few years with antisemitism.”  

This is exactly why these hands-on volunteer tours are needed right now, to demonstrate to Israelis that not everyone is against them. 

Another Hands-On Serving Tour will take place from 8–17 November 2026. So, come be part of this great opportunity to help Israel in practical and loving ways. 

Find out more at: https://www.icej.org/hands-on-tour/  

And support our Aid projects at:  https://help.icej.org/bless-israel-today