Mollie Sommer reflects on her journey during Tikvatenu 3: Volunteer & Solidarity Trip to Israel in March 2025.
The first four days of our trip were spent staying in Rehovot, traveling in and out of the Gaza envelope visiting Kibbutz Holit, Ofakim, and Shuva Junction. To say it was incredible, intense, emotional, happy, sad – is an understatement. What a roller coaster of emotions and experiences we have been a part of so far. On our final day in Rehovot, we were given a choice of three volunteer activities to sign up for. I didn’t put too much thought into what I chose; just based it on what seemed most interesting to me – the activity titled “house & garden clean up for a senior who needs help.” Little did I know that volunteer activity would make a far more lasting impression on me than what I had simply signed up for.
This volunteer activity was with the organization Our.Jesta. A non-profit created by a group of men who were previously in the IDF and wanted to improve the quality and standard of living for their elderly neighbors. They have built a community of over 1,200 men and women (teenagers and professionals) who give back time, resources, housework, and most importantly, companionship and friendship to their elderly.
The bus dropped us off at Reuven’s (the man’s house we were doing yard work for) – we had no idea what to expect. We had our work gloves on and were ready to get to work wherever they needed us! We met Yuval, one of Jesta’s founders – previously in the IDF and a Nova Festival survivor. He took us back to Reuven’s yard, I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for the work we had cut out for us.
We were greeted by Reuven, who spoke little English but was wearing a big smile and continuously telling us, “Thank you.” Reuven had lived in that home for close to 15 years – his yard was overgrown with weeds and trash, and it was time to finally make a space of his outside. A place where he could sit outside to enjoy sunshine and company! After two hours, our group of 8 was dripping sweat, but our hearts were filled with so much joy and satisfaction, not to mention the huge smiles on our faces. What seemed like such a small act for us, just two hours of our time, made all the difference to Yuval and Reuven. Reuven has no family around; Jesta has become his family. You could see the bond that Yuval and Reuven have – it was something special and could be felt.
The transformation of that space was not just visible – it went beyond that. The smile on Reuven’s face when he saw the final look was incredible. We planted flowers before we left, symbolizing the hope, growth and opportunity that lie ahead for Reuven with an outdoor space of his own. Yuval told us that Reuven’s 75th birthday was the following week. Now they would be able to have a proper celebration for him outside with his Jesta family.
This morning was so much more than yard work. It is something that will be ingrained in my memory and heart for a long time – something that seems so simple to one but means so much more to another.
