When the terrorist attacks of Hamas on October 7 changed life in Israel, these Americans took action.
Some flew to Tel Aviv, feeling inspired to help. Others, who visit Israel, dig and stay.
It’s not about taking up arms.
Instead, they do things – like cooking food, taking care of soldiers’ children, helping in the fields – that impact the daily lives of Israelis.
Here are the stories of Americans who keep Israel alive.
Firefighters help their Israeli brothers
Schuyler Gordon, 37. Law clerk and volunteer firefighter from Great Neck, New York. Volunteer as a firefighter.
After the attack, I spent a lot of time online, looking at what was happening in Israel.
It took me to a dark place.
I decided that I needed to do something hands-on. I found the Emergency Volunteer Project and qualified as a firefighter.
Zeke Strain, a farmer from Montana, is among the many Americans now volunteering in Israel. Many are instrumental in keeping this country moving and others bring joy to children in the wake of horror. Courtesy of Zeke Strain Schuyler Gordon (left) spent two weeks volunteering as a firefighter in Israel. Courtesy of Schuyler Gordon
I was stationed in Israel for two weeks in October.
The experience was amazing.
The Judaism part of my life and the firefighting part of my life crossed paths for the first time.
On Friday night, there is a Shabbat dinner at the firehouse. Then a siren went off and four men ran towards the truck.
The Israelis were amazed that we sacrificed our lives for two weeks.
They kept asking if we needed to eat. Firefighters start out as grandmas – until they realize we’re there to work – then we douse each other and put out fires, often caused by falling rockets.
Schuyler Gordon said that being a firefighter in Israel is a little different than doing it in the US — especially when the fire bell rings during shabbat dinner at the firehouse. Courtesy of Schuyler Gordon Schuyler Gordon brings his firefighting skills to the Promised Land. Schuyler Gordon
Coming home is bittersweet. Israel is where I need to be right now. I have taken a lot from Israel. This is about giving back.
Doctors help heal battle wounds
Dr. Zev Neuwirth, 54. Internist from Miami. Volunteer as a military doctor.
War broke out on Saturday. By Sunday, I was in Israel. I went to the EMS volunteer and attached myself to the combat unit. I recently retired from the Marine Public Affairs Group; so, I’m a medic with frontline military experience.
Dr. Zev Neuwirth took a sabbatical from his practice in Miami to provide medical aid on the front lines in Israel. Courtesy of Zev Neuwirth
I have seen soldier to soldier battle injuries. But this touches my heart on a personal level. It is about our blood and our right to exist. [Hamas] want to wipe us off the face of the earth. I embedded myself with the frontline units and provided medical support first and, afterwards, any help I could offer – whether it was psychological or delivering supplies.
I treat someone here and see love that goes beyond doctor/patient. Heart connection is amazing. That keeps me moving forward without stopping in my tracks.
Dr. Zev Neuwirth told The Post that he sometimes fields calls from patients in Miami while practicing battlefield medicine. Zev Neuwirth
Investors who cook for the army
Reuben Taub, 65. Private investor in New York City. Volunteer as a cook.
I was in the synagogue when the sirens went off. I planned to go home on October 30, but I stayed.
I want to get involved and help. I have a house in Jerusalem and my daughter, Melissa, lives in Tel Aviv. He found a group called Grilling for the IDF. Two days after the attack, I drove to Mod’in [in central Israel], don’t know what I’m going to do. Suddenly, I found myself flipping through hundreds of burgers for the soldiers.
Reuben Taub extended his visit to Israel so he could cook for the troops, helping prepare about 380 meals in one day.Melissa Taub
Israel called up 360,000 reservists and food was not provided.
We moved the operation to my place where I have a grill, two ovens and a stove. Working with a group of volunteers, we put out 380 meals for 190 soldiers the other day.
It felt purposeful and like the right thing to do.
Whether you agree or disagree with your neighbor’s politics, whether you’re secular or orthodox here, you help.
Melissa and Reuben Taub, daughter and father, work together to keep the Israeli army fortified. Melissa Taub
Realtors bring joy to child victims of violence
Josh Levine, 32. Real estate executive in Riverdale, NY. Volunteer as a Jewish Santa Claus.
A woman in our orthodox community, Naomi Stira, started an initiative to collect toys for children to be distributed through the One Family Fund, which helps victims of violence.
We collect toys for children who have relatives who were killed or displaced from their homes. In that situation, the children lost their toys.
On October 31, my brother-in-law Dovid Goldstein and I flew to Israel with 60 duffel bags, loaded with toys. Representatives of the organization met us at the airport, picked up the toys and distributed them.
Dovid Goldstein and Josh Levine (right), haul 60 duffel bags full of toys in an effort to bring joy to homeless children. Courtesy of Josh Levine
But I still have 40 hours in Israel. A friend knows Melissa Taub. I went to Rubin’s apartment where they had a major cooking setup. I cut cucumbers for an Israeli salad.
In the elevator, I saw a woman who had been evacuated. He went to the apartment to help cook. He had a piece of cardboard and used it to make a toy for his son.
I carry extra cash, specifically to give to someone who needs it. I don’t want to embarrass the woman. So, I gave the money to Melissa. I asked him to give it to the woman anonymously so she could buy toys for her son.
After Josh Levine’s toy bag was taken out, he went to Rubin Taub’s apartment and helped cook. Courtesy of Josh Levine
Despite everything, the woman was very enthusiastic. He inspired me when he smiled and said, ‘With God’s help, we will get through this.'”
Montana farm boys keep crops growing
Zeke Strain, 20. Farmer in Augusta, Montana. Volunteer as a farmer.
Christian cowboys did more than farm. They help till the land and even build fences that keep the wild boar away from the zucchini plants. Courtesy of Zeke Strain
I have 700 tons of hay to bail, back home in Montana, but this is something that has to be done.
I got a call [from a leader of the faith-based volunteer agency HaYovel] and jump flight. It saddens me to see so many Jews killed. Israel needs support.
Many fathers and sons are fighting in Gaza. There are fields with growing crops, and they need harvesting. The country needs food. We picked thousands of pounds of peppers a few days ago.
Yesterday, we went to the zucchini farm and built a fence to keep the wild boar out.
Next, we will send bulletproof vests and flashlights [financed by donations to HaYovell].
Three of the Christian cowboys — Zeke Strain, John Plocher, Yosef Strain (left to right) — who gave up ranch life in Montana to help in the Promised Land. Courtesy of Zeke Strain
Israel is where the Bible takes place. There is only one Jewish nation. We can’t play around.
The photographer brings a smile from the front
Menachem Geisinsky, 23. Photographer on Long Island. Volunteer as a photographer.
I run the Smiling Project. I visited military bases, asked the soldiers to smile, took their pictures and put them on his Instagram page.
Menachem Geisinsky came to Israel with the goal of making soldiers smile as he photographed them. Courtesy of Menachem Geisinsky
At first, it showed a side of the IDF that people didn’t see.
But, since the war, it has had another purpose. Soldiers on the front lines don’t have cameras.
They can be cut off from their families.
This helps family members connect with soldiers and see them smile.
I am with a 45 year old reserved man. He has a son in Gaza, whom he cannot reach. The father is worried. I made him smile and escape for a moment from his situation.
Menachem Geisinsky knew how to make a soldier smile, but a kiss from a beautiful woman didn’t hurt either. Courtesy of Menachem Geisinsky
Right now, it’s not just about showing soldiers smiling; it’s about get them to smile. I am raising spirits.
Students babysit, bake — and mourn
Ella Morgenstern, 18. Student in Scarsdale, NY. Rebecca Silber, 19. Student in New York City. Both volunteer as babysitters and general helpers.
Rebecca Silber (left) and Ella Morgenstern were spending their gap year in Israel when fighting broke out. They stay to help wherever they can.Courtesy of Ella Morgenstern
Ella: We came here to attend seminary, during a gap year. The idea is to strengthen our Jewish heritage, connect with the land, volunteer with the community.
Rebecca: As soon as I realized what was happening, I wondered how I could help. You can’t just watch this happen. For both of us, there was no question whether we would stay.
Ella Morgenstern wears an Israeli military jacket, with Rebecca Silber on the left, while they volunteer as uniform folders at an Israeli military base.
Ella: I took care of a child whose father was in a fight and went to a funeral for a lonely soldier [a soldier in Israel without family]. We had a carnival for the kids and baked challah. It feels amazing to cook for a purpose.
Rebecca: We went to the base in Tel Aviv and packed a bunch of military uniforms for storage.
Ella: Volunteering is its own medicine. Giving back to the community is a Jewish way of dealing with grief.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
