This moving gesture on behalf of farmers and residents of agricultural communities joins the pioneering work done by the organization’s volunteers during routine times to protect Israel’s lands.
Translated by KKL-JNF from the original Hebrew article of Sar-Shalom Jerbi, May 6, 2020, Arutz Sheva
Sar-Shalom Jerbi. Photo: Yoav Devir, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
I would like to express my gratitude and say thank you to the HaShomer HaChadash organization, and to its director, Mr. Yoel Zilberman.
The corona crisis led to a lack of working hands in agriculture due to the ban on foreign workers entering Israel, which led to the danger of thousands of tons of fruits, vegetables and other agriculture produce going to ruin.
The HaShomer HaChadash organization opened an emergency headquarters to assist farmers and dealt with hundreds of farmer’s requests for help, some of them seniors who were in the high-risk group [for contracting the virus]. The organization’s headquarters received 5,853 requests for volunteers and workers deemed essential to agriculture, and thousands of people downloaded the SunDo app [to sign up] for agricultural volunteering.
KKL-JNF joined the effort and opened its field and forest centers throughout Israel to house volunteers in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health, providing a critically needed solution for the volunteer assistance project to be able function.
This month, thankfully, thousands of tons of fruits and hundreds of thousands of shekels have been saved for Israel’s farmers and economy. It is estimated that 85% of Israel’s citrus crop was saved thanks to the recruitment of Hashomer HaChadash volunteers.
In total, 9,905 teenagers, adults, pre-military academy students, members of youth organizations and youth movements and one-year national service volunteers from all over Israel - whose activities are extensively supported annually by KKL-JNF - volunteered over the past month to harvest and save the fruit as part of activities organized by HaShomer HaChadash.
This moving act on behalf of the farmers and the agricultural communities joins the pioneering work of the organization’s volunteers during routine times to protect Israel’s lands. Their presence on grazing and agricultural lands prevents harassment by hostile neighbors, such as cutting fences, invading grazing areas, arson and theft. The presence of the volunteers is often instrumental in bolstering the farmers’ courage, and their resolve to stay on their land, in spite of the daily threat to their farmlands.
In addition to night patrols, the volunteers have no lack of work during the day: planting, building terraces, and grazing sheep. Alongside the physical labor, the volunteers also devote time to in-depth study of Jewish tradition and heritage, as well as field skills.
During the days between Israel Remembrance Day, Israel Independence Day and Jerusalem Day, which symbolize the country’s ascent from physical and political freedom to value-oriented and religious freedom, HaShomer HaChadash volunteers are outstanding partners in leading the country to the next level. They accomplish this goal thanks to their ideals, their great spirit and their dedicated work on behalf of agriculture and building communities in the land of Israel.
KKL-JNF Education and Community Director Sar-Shalom Jerbi