By Renske Lankman.
Michèle Weststeijn led four hands-on trips last year. She found the trips a resounding success: “The trips are a unique combination of being in the country, meeting people and doing something for the society. You really add something, because people in Israel are in great need.”
What kind of activities did you do in Israel?
“Each hands-on trip follows roughly the same pattern. During the day, you work in agriculture or you are cleaning houses. The activities in agriculture do of course differ per season: one time you are picking oranges, for example, and the next time you are pruning vines. It just depends on the season. We also have a speaker every evening. That could be a politician, a grandfather of a hostage, a trauma therapist: really anything and everything. We do not work on Shabbat and Sunday. On those days, we visit the Nova festival grounds, among other things. That is always very moving, because you hear first-hand stories there.”
“The purpose of these trips is also twofold. First of all, to show solidarity and make a (small) contribution to Israeli society. In addition, the participants also become ambassadors in the Netherlands. It is important that they pass on the things and stories they have seen and heard.”
They thought: You are at war and yet we hear cheerful music. That can’t be right? But that is not Jewish.
What reactions do you get from Israelis?
“There are few tourists in Israel at the moment, so you stand out on the street, which makes people more likely to start a conversation. You have plenty of opportunity to ask about experiences. In addition, people come to you crying, you get expressions of gratitude and spontaneous hugs. They are incredibly grateful. Very special to see. There is a proverb that says: in need you get to know your friends. We can show that through these trips, that we are friends of Israel.”
What do you notice about the impact that the war has on Israel?
“You see that the entire country is traumatized. People are not ready yet to process October 7th. There is still fighting on all fronts and no one has a solution. That makes people despondent. Israelis are tired of war. There is a lot of discouragement. At the same time, it is special that the Jews continue to celebrate their holidays. For example, we were in Israel during Purim, the holiday where people dress up. You think: Well, there is little to dress up. But the Jews do that. The Bible also says that it is an obligation to rejoice. That is the wonderful thing about Judaism. The groups also had to get used to that in the beginning. They thought: You are at war and yet we hear cheerful music and see full terraces. How is that possible? That can’t be right? But that is not Jewish, daily life just goes on.”
What were the reactions from the groups that went along?
“So far we have not heard from people who actually regretted participating. Although the trips are physically and emotionally tiring, it is very enriching for everyone. The group often does not know one another, but because they are working together, a bond is quickly formed. They also encourage each other. For example, when picking oranges, there was a group that had picked something of thirteen tons. Then of course the next group wants to exceed that. Although the trips are a serious matter, you also have a lot of fun together. That is also very important.”
Watch some images below.
Source: https://www.christenenvoorisrael.nl/artikelen/een-doorslaand-succes
