As Shnat Sherut 50 Plus enters its second year, new groups of volunteers are settling into their host communities. Beyond their main placements, many are already taking initiative in their spare time, finding meaningful ways to bring strength, joy, and connection to the people around them.
Growing Resilience in Merhavim
In the Merhavim Regional Council, Nirit and Shlomo Zis have introduced therapeutic gardening as their special contribution. At Nahalim Elementary School, they began with an outdoor session that combined discovery, creativity, and fun.
The children explored the eucalyptus tree, learning how its bark peels away in sturdy layers. Each child chose a piece of bark, made a hole to hang it, and decorated it with their choice of greeting or design, whether for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, or simply for their room at home.
The activity, filled with laughter and curiosity, reflected the essence of therapeutic gardening: offering calm, confidence, and imagination through nature. Nirit and Shlomo plan to continue these sessions throughout the year, confident that the garden will nurture not just plants but resilience and joy in the children who take part.
First Steps in the North
Meanwhile, the new Mateh Asher group has wasted no time getting to work in northern Israel. Within days of arriving, they joined local residents to support communities recovering from the impact of war.
At Kibbutz Adamit, where Hezbollah rockets severely damaged public buildings, volunteers helped salvage books from the destroyed community library. This simple yet powerful act symbolised continuity, renewal, and the promise of a future library that will once again be a hub of learning and culture.
At nearby Kibbutz Rosh Hanikra, volunteers joined forces with the Rabin Pre-Military Academy, younger Shnat Sherut participants, and kibbutz members to clear and restore pathways around the community. Organized by Neomi and Sandra from the 50 Plus group, the day became a moving demonstration of intergenerational cooperation and shared commitment.
Small Steps, Big Impact
From therapeutic gardening in Merhavim to library restoration and path-clearing in Mateh Asher, these first projects highlight the spirit of our newest volunteers: practical, creative, and deeply collaborative.
They show how even small, self-initiated actions can help communities feel supported, connected, and hopeful for the future.
