Following the horrific events of October 7, an inspiring wave of volunteerism in Israel has emerged. The country already had a volunteer culture, however it seems as if the tragedy inflicted by Hamas has amplified this - and hundreds from abroad, Jewish and non-Jewish have even come to lend a hand as Israel fights to eliminate a cancer that is a threat to the entire world. According to Israeli News site, Makor Rishon, a famous Rabbi who was murdered during the Holocaust said: "The greatest thing in the world is to do a favor to someone else." Volunteering strengthens both individual and national resilience, and with the help of sites like the Hebrew Makor Rishon, as well as institutions such as Leket and the Rashi Foundation, we have compiled a guide to help you find the right opportunity.
Emergency Volunteers Project
EVP is staffing two projects in addition to its professional firefighters initiative: The EVP Mass-Feeding Unit, working with Israel’s Home Front Command, trains volunteers to prepare fresh, healthy meals for Israel Defense Forces units and needy populations using a fleet of mobile kitchens. The EVP Make A Soldier Smile project has volunteers cooking meals at popup field kitchens on army bases.
Contact EVP via th web, here; by emailing
South Health System Childcare Support
Caruso Science Park, alongside Stable House and a youth science organization, offers activities for the children of health system workers who have been inundated with patients injured on October 7th. Located at Carso Science Park in Beersheba, these activities are under Israel's 'Pikud Ha'Oref" (Home Front Command) guidelines and include scientific and social breaks, plus lunch. Volunteers, equipment, and funds are needed. To inqire about donating yor time, please contact:
Beersheba Association Loves Animals - Dog Foster Homes
For those in Israel, this association seeks volunteer families to foster dogs, helping them acclimate to home life and increase their adoption chances. This commitment is ongoing until a permanent home is found. Contact: +972-53-882-8090 or email
One Heart National Aid Center
Providing wide-ranging assistance from children's activities to emergency aid, One Heart is a crucial support system that is in dire need of help from the public. For more information, visit their website here or call +972-72-213-3281.
Moshav Zimat Greenhouse Assistance
You might have seen the story about cowboys coming to Israel to help out with the farming, this opportunity is the same. With a severe labor shortage due to the attacks and subsequent military callup, Moshav Zimat's greenhouses urgently need volunteers. To inquire, please contact Tamir at +972-50-599-5055.
Israel Food Rescue Mission
The Israel Food Rescue Mission is a joint effort of HaShomer HaChadash, Kol Israel and Brothers in Arms, in response to a war-related manpower crisis on Israeli farms. As of November 20, because more than 1,500 people applied, this program has been restructured: volunteers may sign up for five or more days (paying their own way) or for a year-long stint doing agricultural work and sleeping on the farm.
Click here to volunteer for the Israel Food Rescue Mission or email
Mitzpe Ramon Support for Evacuees
IN the wake of the destruction inflcited by Palestinians, led by Hamas on Gaza border communities, as well as the threat from Hezbollah in the North, hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Mitzpe Ramon has warmly welcomed 3,000 evacuees, offering various forms of assistance. Further help is needed to sustain this support. For more information on how you can help, please contact: +972-52-427-3600.
Jewish National Fund-USA
The JNF-USA has scheduled a series of five-day volunteer missions in Israel, starting December 10-14. Participants (ages 18 and up) will be housed in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and spend four to six hours per day working in agriculture or with displaced families, or assisting with logistical duties at an Israel Defense Forces base.
Click here to sign up and to get more information on JNF-USA volunteer missions
Animal Care and Adoption
This is another oppirtunity for people living in Israel. In Kfar Ruth, located in the center of the country adjacent to the City of Modi'in, Maccabim-Reut, a shelter hosting over 200 dogs and cats needs foster care or adoption support. Many people come and commit several hours a week to take animals on walks, or just lend a hand to the staff. For information on how you can help call +972-54-535-1022.
Leket Israel
The most popular agency that provides volunteer opportunities to pick, sort and pack rescued foods for Israelis in need, Leket is an Israeli staple. The organization has hosted thousands of volunteers who come to pick crops, or work in fruit & vegetable sorting facilities to provide food for those who need a little help. Typically, the service helps the underemployed, elderly, impoverished and others in need, after October 7th the amount of people in need has grown, while the workforce to help out has diminished. To inquire about volunteering for Leket, you can fill out their online form at here or call:
In the U.S. 1-201-331-0070; email
In Canada 905-525-5673; email
For those in England you can email
To call them directly in Israel, you can reach them at +972-09-744-1757 or email them at
To Donate money, please visit their donation portal which has several options. Leket does offer tax deductions for contributions coming from outside of Israel, depending upon your country, The website has all the information.
Efi Asperger Association Israel
The Efi Asperger Association is a facility that supports adult women who on the spectrum. The association requires (Hebrew Speaking) volunteers, funding, among other resources. For more information on how you can help, Please contact CEO Nir Makhlouf at +972-54-803-9039.
Volunteers for Israel and Sar-El Israel
These two agencies (VFI & Sar-El) provide opportunities for civilian volunteer service on IDF bases.
For VFI inquiries, email
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For those inside the country in the Jerusalem area, there are opportunities that desperately need your help. Of course, for those outside the country, financial assistance to continue their amazing work is always welcome.
Jerusalem Laundromat For Gaza Evacuees
In Jerusalem, a group of laundromats as well as many ultra-Orthodox women, has formed a patrol to assist evacuees from the Gaza area. They offer laundry services for clothing, bedding, towels, and other items for those evacuated to hotels and guesthouses in Jerusalem. The service arranges for the collection and return of laundry to the sites where the displaced people are staying. Families in need of these services can contact the patrol, and volunteers will handle the laundry in their homes, returning it clean, folded, and packaged. The service is in need of more volunteers, to help this worthy cause please send a text message to +972-53-368-5062. Of course, if you wish to donate from abroad to help fund the service, they will be happy to help guide you as well. Just give them a call at the number above.
Family Embracing Family Project
Another opportunity to help displaced people who are staying in the Jerusalem area. Neighborhood coordinators are needed to pair local families with evacuee families staying in nearby hotels. The work can include just being there to talk, helping to shop, babysit, or whatever the families need to help themselves cope with not just being displaced, but processing the events of October 7th. Those interested in coordinating can contact Shoshana at +972-54-974-3537.
St. George Hotel Complex Assistance
As has been a theme above, many displaced people are staying all around the country in hotels, guest houses and boarding houses. St. George hotel in Jerusalem is hosting many of the families and they are seeking volunteers to help out in various roles, including handling resident inquiries, organizing the warehouse, and addressing urgent needs. There is also a makeshift school that has been set up in the hotel and educators are desperately needed. For more information on the needs and how you can help, please contact Shaked at +972-54-202-4578.
