Determined to turn compassion into action, dozens of American college students traveled to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA on its alternative summer-break program to help communities there rebuild. The week-long volunteer experience brought students from universities nationwide to Israel’s frontier regions in the north and south, where they rolled up their sleeves to support Israeli areas still reeling from the impact of the Hamas-led terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
The group worked alongside Jewish National Fund-USA’s longtime partners in cities like Kiryat Shmona, Akko and Ofakim. They packed supplies, painted homes and playgrounds, planted trees in memory of the fallen and cooked meals for soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces.
“This trip was so meaningful in many different ways,” said Zachary Dalfin, who attends Tulane University in New Orleans. “Through Jewish National Fund-USA, I was able to make a special impact through volunteering in Israel while also bonding and collaborating with so many people of different ages and backgrounds.”
The itinerary included deeply emotional visits to the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre and to Israel’s Sept. 11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem. But the tone throughout was one of hope and rebuilding. Each stop highlighted the unwavering spirit and resilience of Israelis, as well as the power of Jewish unity and proof that even the smallest action can create powerful ripple effects.
“Honestly, the highlight of my trip was just painting a tractor in a kibbutz up north,” said Kendall Raff, who attends the University of Tennessee. “It was this old and rusty tractor that the kids would play on, so I climbed up inside and started painting. One of the fathers saw the tractor and told us how much his son loves it and how excited he would be about the new coat of paint. Moments like that are so rewarding.”
Jewish National Fund-USA has been hosting alternative break trips for decades, bringing 3,000 college students and young adults ages 18 to 24 to Israel. Each participant philanthropically raises $2,200 to attend the program, furthering their commitment to supporting the land and people of Israel.
“Alternative break was life-changing,” said Mattie Newgent, a student at the University of Maryland. “I wanted to experience Israel and help the Jewish community. I met so many people I never would have gotten to know, and the trip made me love Israel and Israelis even more. I have friends on the other side of the world now, and it means a lot to be able to give back to them and support them. This mission motivated me to be more outspoken for Israel and advocate for Jewish people everywhere.”
As the largest provider of Zionist education, Jewish National Fund-USA also offers a wealth of programming and tools for college students, including a campus resources page for students to report antisemitism.
Its alternative winter-break trip is scheduled for Dec. 28 to Jan. 4.
To learn more about volunteering opportunities in Israel, visit: jnf.org/volunteeril or jnf.org/ab.
