One idea. One mission. A national movement in the making.
Elul’s Shnat Sherut 50 Plus began with a simple but powerful idea – that the professional expertise and life experience of adults could become a vital resource in strengthening vulnerable communities. It was Rina’s vision: a bold belief that adults could be mobilized to make a real, lasting difference, not in an office or boardroom, but by living and working directly inside the communities they serve.
Rina reached out to Dr Tamar Oged, a lifelong friend and colleague, who, in turn, reached out to Eran Baruch and Guy Gardi. Rina called in friend and business entrepreneur Boaz Shalit.
They all said, “Yes! I’m in!” and the planning started.
The idea emerged against the backdrop of a growing need. Communities near Israel’s Gaza Envelope were under extraordinary pressure, grappling not only with daily security challenges but also with the longer-term emotional, educational, health, and social needs that come from living under constant threat. The Five recognized that rebuilding community life required more than funding or temporary programs – it needed people: experienced hands and hearts willing to give of themselves in a deep and sustained way.
Turning this vision into reality was no small task. The proposition was daunting:
- Leave home and family for a year.
- Relocate to an unfamiliar town or kibbutz, the exact location unknown at the time of commitment.
- Live alongside people you had never met before.
- Offer your full professional expertise – in fields like health, education, social work, business development, and more.
- And do it all without financial compensation.
It was an extraordinary ask but the response was extraordinary too. A growing number of people, deeply committed to giving back, embraced the challenge. They recognized the opportunity not just to help others, but to be part of something larger than themselves: to rebuild hope, restore dignity, and strengthen the social fabric from the inside out.
Over 800 people signed up for the pilot program and the worry about having no volunteers became how to narrow down the field.
Responding to the needs of the councils which signed up, the final 44 were chosen based on their professional expertise and thus the idea became a reality. The pilot program of Shnat Sherut 50 Plus launched with two groups, each made up of 22 professional volunteers. Each volunteer committed to contributing a minimum of 24 hours of service per week, resulting in a combined contribution equivalent to more than 4 million NIS per group in professional services annually.
Projects ranged from frontline medical care and educational initiatives to creative projects like “Objects and their Stories,” which used personal items and memories to rebuild a sense of community identity and resilience.
From the beginning, it was clear that the Shnat Sherut 50 Plus model was both impactful and sustainable. The more groups placed in the field, the lower the operational costs per group, and the greater the overall impact. The long-term vision is to grow into a national program, bringing skilled volunteers to support communities across the country – and eventually, perhaps, inspiring similar programs internationally. In February 2024, a third group of 14 began their year of service and are based in Kfar Aza.
Today, Shnat Sherut 50 Plus stands as a testament to what is possible when vision meets courage. It is proof that experienced professionals, even at a later stage in life, can be a driving force for change – not by stepping back, but by stepping forward when they are needed most.
But the work is only just beginning.
The project needs more volunteers, more supporters, and more partners to grow. Whether through donating furniture for volunteer housing, offering premises for training, helping with research, or simply spreading the word, there are many ways to be part of this extraordinary journey.
This is how it all started – with one idea, and with people who believed it could become real.
For more information or to get involved, please contact:
jane@elul.org.il
- All illustrations on this page were kindly done for us by Eyal Hirorg
