College Students Volunteer
Written by Oriel Rosen for the Chasdei Naomi Nonprofit Charity Organization
College Students Volunteer
Written by Oriel Rosen for the Chasdei Naomi Nonprofit Charit Organization
First Stop: Chasdei Naomi
This week, a group of students from the "Shorashim" organization arrived in Israel with clear-cut goals: to help those in need, to show support for Israel, and to serve as ambassadors of goodwill. The first place they visited after landing was the Jerusalem branch of the Chasdei Naomi nonprofit charity organization. "We want to hear testimonies from those people who experienced the war, who stayed in the bomb shelters for a full day, who lost entire families, who were evacuated and kidnapped from their homes on Shabbat morning by Hamas terrorists, whose families are still being held captive in Gaza. We must hear the stories of those who survived the hell of October 7th in the kibbutzim and communities around Gaza, at the Negev Junction, we want to hear the stories of the heroism of those who fought, there are so many heroes in this war. We want and must bring all these stories back to our campuses in America and tell the people there what really happened here, what is happening here now, and also to tell how wonderful, generous and amazing the people here are."
Pogroms at Universities
Straight from the United States, a group of students from the "Shorashim" organization, who study at various universities across America, landed in Israel this week. The students came through the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in the US, which raised funds to bring them here for a two-week stay to volunteer in the communities of the south. Their journey began at the Jerusalem branch of the Chasdei Naomi nonprofit charity organization.
The Chasdei Naomi organization supports Holocaust survivors and thousands of families in need throughout the year. The Jerusalem branch distributes around 600 food baskets to Jerusalem’s families every month, and during the holidays, this number triples.
One of the goals of the student volunteers is to return to the campuses where they study and explain to their friends what is happening here in the State of Israel, to be ambassadors of explanation. This is in the wake of the pogroms and numerous demonstrations taking place on campuses against the State of Israel following the Gaza war. Therefore, despite this and precisely because of it, these students are coming to demonstrate their support for Israel.
One of the students who participated in this amazing activity is Zachary Magerman, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, who enthusiastically recounts: "We decided to come to the Chasdei Naomi charity organization because we saw the activities the organization is doing, we saw how much it helped at the beginning of the Gaza war for orphans, evacuees, people affected by the war, and how much it assists Holocaust survivors and families in need throughout the year. We want to do everything in our power, because it is clear to us that we have limited influence when we are in the United States. "
Wartime Unity
As she assembles care packages, Bailey Spitz, from Florida also tells us: "On the first day of this trip, we decided to volunteer at Chasdei Naomi, because it is very important for us to contribute and support the large community here in Israel, to support people who need assistance. It was very important for us to dedicate our time here in the country to pack food packages for Holocaust survivors and families in need who are supported by the Chasdei Naomi organization. Thank you to the organization for giving us this opportunity."
The students who came to Chasdei Naomi Jerusalem are an example of the unity of the Jewish people during the time of war.
Zachary warmly recommends to anyone who is planning to volunteer in the future to come to Chasdei Naomi: "This is a meaningful, interesting and very fun experience. To anyone who plans to donate, don't worry, 100% of the donation really goes to those who need it. It's clear that everyone is having a hard time because of the war, but any way in which we can help is important, whether it's through packing and distribution, or through monetary donations, anything we can do so that Chasdei Naomi can continue to do amazing work and help people in Israel during this difficult time."
Israel Maisler, the manager of the Jerusalem branch of Chasdei Naomi added: "The student volunteers from the US came out of a tremendous sense of intention to be the face of Israel in the US and to explain our country. They all came today with high morale, they feel a deep connection to the Jewish homeland, and that's what brought them here. We were excited to host them, I'm sure they will do well and spread light and love, and I believe we will meet again."