Hundreds of members of the Hashomer Youth movement, part of Hashomer Hachadash, spent their Sukkot holiday break helping rehabilitate and beautify Kiryat Shmona, while cleaning up nature sites and streams surrounding the northern city.
The young volunteers spent the week sleeping at a local campsite in Kiryat Shmona. Each morning, they set out to paint, clean, clear debris and brush, and beautify the city. During Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days of the holiday, they were joined by participants in Hashomer Hachadash’s leadership program, students from its pre-military academies (mechinot), and employees and their families. Together, they took part in the effort to rehabilitate the Upper Galilee, a region that has sustained damage from numerous rocket attacks during the Iron Swords war, resulting in the destruction of homes and infrastructure, as well as fires caused by rocket fire.
The Sukkot initiative builds on Hashomer Hachadash’s ongoing work in Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding communities since the outbreak of the war. The organization has participated in numerous activities across the city and its surroundings, maintaining a connection with the municipality and local residents.
One example is the Adam VeAdamah agricultural school network, founded by Hashomer Hachadash. Shortly after the war began, the network established a branch at Kibbutz Yir’on, near the Lebanese border, where students assist farmers in the Upper Galilee. Another Adam VeAdamah branch was established at Kibbutz Matzuva, also on the Lebanese border.
Yoel Zilberman, founder and CEO of Hashomer Hachadash, said the young volunteers had chosen to dedicate their holiday to supporting the northern city rather than taking family vacations in Israel or abroad.
“Our youth, who were joined by Hashomer Hachadash employees during the week, take part in national missions year-round, from renovating bomb shelters and assisting farmers to painting the homes of the elderly and clearing debris from sites hit by rockets during the war,” Zilberman said. “The cooperation with the Kiryat Shmona municipality will continue.”
Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern praised the organization's continued involvement in the city, describing the volunteers' work across its neighborhoods and surrounding natural areas.
“Hashomer Hachadash has always been the first to arrive and volunteer across our city,” Stern said. “I walked around the city and was moved to see the Hashomer Hachadash youth working in the neighborhoods, while also cleaning streams around the city. We have wonderful and inspiring youth in Israel.”
The organization's work has also earned the appreciation of farmers living and working near the Lebanese border. Shai Golani, a farmer from Kibbutz Malkia, described the relationship between local farmers and Hashomer Hachadash as one of ongoing cooperation.
“Hashomer Hachadash is always in our area for any task. They are always the first to ask, take an interest, and help us,” Golani said. “There is an excellent relationship between the farmers on the Lebanese border and Hashomer Hachadash, expressed through daily cooperation. The Hashomer Hachadash youth are always with us, and it is very moving to see this support.”
Written in collaboration with Hashomer Hachadash