Volunteer in Israel, a joint initiative of Birthright Israel and Jewish Federations of North America, has launched a new initiative in partnership with Momentum: Mothers Rebuilding Israel. This weeklong mission is the first of its kind, designed specifically for Jewish mothers, offering them a hands-on opportunity to support Israeli families and communities in the wake of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Since Oct. 7, Volunteer in Israel with Birthright has brought more than 17,000 volunteers to Israel. Mothers Rebuilding Israel expands this effort, bringing Jewish women together to contribute on the ground while strengthening their connection to Israel and one another.
Participants spent the week volunteering on farms, distributing aid packages, assisting with rebuilding efforts and connecting directly with Israeli families in areas most affected by the two-year-long war. The program also included visits to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and southern towns impacted by the attacks, as well as a Momentum-led Shabbat in Jerusalem focused on solidarity, healing and resilience.
“Just weeks after Oct. 7, we launched the volunteer program inspired by Birthright alumni who asked how they could help. Today, we are proud to see so many Jews come together. Mothers Rebuilding Israel engages Jewish mothers, leaders in their families and communities, to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israelis in rebuilding and healing,” said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel.
“This mission is about more than service; it is about presence, solidarity and the extraordinary strength of Jewish women,” said Lori Palatnik, founding director of Momentum. “We are showing up for Israel when it matters most.”
Momentum, a global movement dedicated to empowering Jewish women and strengthening Jewish families and communities, works closely with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism to bring Jewish parents—primarily mothers—to Israel, equipping them to strengthen their Jewish identity and inspire change within their local communities. Since its founding in 2008, Momentum has reached more than 25,000 individuals across 37 countries, creating a powerful ripple effect of Jewish pride and resilience worldwide.
