by Jannie Tolhoek

From early morning until dusk, a group of Christian volunteers recently spent ten days traveling from one corner of Israel to another to help out 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 what they discovered during the ICEJ’s latest Hands-On Serving Tour is that a much deeper, lasting work was done not with their hands, but with their hearts.

“This tour was more than volunteering at different places,” one participant reflected. “It was about making connections, meeting people, coming alongside those in need, listening to their stories, and offering encouragement.”

The tour included stops at a variety of ICEJ AID projects throughout Israel, as well as visits to such historic sites as Herodian and Tel Gezer. Yet the deepest impacts were left not by ancient ruins, but by the lives they encountered.

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 their stories about how the school had become a lifeline and given them a sense of purpose.

Asaf, the school’s founder, explained its vision to reconnect the younger generation with modern Israel’s early pioneer roots, to encourage a sort of new 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’ lives.”

In the vineyards of another farm, they met Ori, who was recently released from reserve duty and is helping his grandparents in their eighties to keep the family farm alive during wartime.

“This war has brought everything into a different light,” Ori confided. “What is the purpose of my life? We are part of a bigger story unfolding, and I want to actively participate in that.”

As volunteers worked in the vineyards of their farm, Ori shared his dream of transforming it into a flourishing winery. Over coffee and Dutch cookies, conversations deepened. Like so many Israelis they met, Ori eventually asked the question: “Why did you come?”

“When you, the people of Israel, are facing trouble, we feel a deep pain”, Harmen answered. “We want to help and come alongside you, to lend a helping hand.”

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

Even now, more than two years into the war, Israeli farmers continue struggling with labour shortages and uncertainty. Ori looked at the volunteers with gratitude and said, “There is no one like you. You are a gift from heaven.”

The group also spent time at Kibbutz Dorot, near the Gaza border, which was founded in 1941. Yael guided them through the archives, telling stories of pioneers who arrived when there was “just one tree and 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.

For Zwanneke, the story of Yael’s life became a defining moment of her time in Israel.

“This tour is surpassing my expectations,” she insisted. “Incredible conversations with different people, but Yael deeply moved me. She has experienced a great deal of loss and grief in her life. Our time with her felt like love softly dripping onto her heart. It brought a special connection.”

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. “The work you have done today is very meaningful. Almost two million people in Israel live below the poverty line. You helped almost 600 families today. 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. “When people ask me why I am here? Because I stand with Israel. Actions speak louder than words. I felt that today so deeply.”

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 was born in Germany and rebuilt her life after surviving the Holocaust. She read some of her poems aloud, revealing deep pain and remarkable resilience. Yet despite everything she endured, the volunteers were struck by “the twinkle in her eyes” and her enduring humour. On the way back to Jerusalem, each one agreed that the Haifa Home is a special place of great compassion and love.

Then in Ashdod, the volunteers painted the basement of a home for new Jewish immigrants, which is being transformed into a welcoming space for activities and community life. 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.

“The ICEJ has done an incredible job in such a variety of valuable volunteer places”, noted Harmen as the tour wound to an end. “Through that, we’ve met amazing people. I thought I would just be working long hours, but it turned into a journey of listening to people’s stories and building connections that have profoundly impacted me.”

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 ways, and to remind the Jewish people that they are not alone.

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

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