By: Laurina Driesse

When Israel was reborn as a nation 75 years ago, many in that founding generation were orphans, having lost their entire families in the Holocaust. Thus, many children’s homes and youth villages sprang up around Israel to welcome the wave of orphaned Jewish children needing a place of refuge. Some of these homes continue to operate today, meeting the needs of at-risk Israeli and immigrant youths. Each year, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem takes on renovation projects in children’s homes and youth villages throughout Israel where budgets are sorely lacking to make essential upgrades.

Last year, an ICEJ Aid team visited the Kfar Galim youth village to give out welcome packages to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants newly arrived from the war. We just happened to bring along ICEJ-Sweden national director Gitten Öholm to help, when we discovered the youth village had a rather dilapidated “Swedish House” which badly needed repairs. It was built mainly with wood, which the village staff did not know how to fix, as most buildings in Israel are made with concrete and stone.

While there, the village director Danny Gildin mentioned in jest that we should bring some Swedes to help renovate the home. This planted a seed in Gitten’s heart, but a thousand thoughts ran through her head at the same time.

“For me back then, it seemed impossible in many ways,” Gitten recently recalled. “The ICEJ-Sweden branch is rebuilding itself. I am a lady, and none of my friends are professional handymen. Also, how could I explain the need to help a hi-tech country, or to ask others to come work without pay.”

Nevertheless, exactly one year after Gitten’s initial visit, she stood back in amazement this past March watching eleven professional Swedish workers eagerly travel to Israel at their own expense, and volunteer their time and skill to renovate the Swedish House at this Israeli youth village.

Johnny Åbom, one of the volunteers, described his experience. “It was early mornings and late evenings, and feet aching and swelling. But nothing was allowed to stop us from completing the task in time”, he said.

The volunteers first focused on the inside of the building, currently used for the youth wrestling team, as well as some garden work.

In addition to the hard work, the group also learned what makes this village unique. A constant hive of activity, some 1,600 students come and go through its regional school, which offers agricultural, music, wood-working and other study programs. Some students live in dormitories on campus that welcome immigrant youths arriving in the country ahead of their parents.

In addition, they are proud to host a sports program for talented athletes who are a part of Israel’s national sports teams. The wrestling club competes in Greco-Roman style wrestling championships for teens up to the age of twenty.

“We are proud to say that our wrestling team… participates in championships in Israel and worldwide and are winning podium places in major championships”, shared Saray Cohen of the youth village staff. “This year we took second and third place in the Israel championship held in Rehovot and had a representative in the judging panel.”

The Swedish guests also spoke with Jewish students who arrived last year from war-torn Ukraine. The visitors were touched to hear of their challenges in adjusting to a new culture and language, while worrying about friends and loved ones left behind.

The foreign volunteers also enjoyed a walking tour of the area, where the youth village maintains a sanctuary to care for mistreated animals. “Many students learn empathy for these animals”, said Johnny.

The group also encountered cows producing milk and cheese, and large banana plantations nearby.

It was an unforgettable experience for the Swedish team, some of whom were travelling abroad for the first time.

“I have great gratitude for being a part of this trip”, noted Johnny, who could not say enough about how the visit to Israel benefited everyone on all levels. Already, they are thinking to return and renovate the outside of the Swedish House at Kfar Galim.

“Maybe painting and gardening do not seem so ‘spiritual’, but on my way home I realised that it is really in line with the ICEJ’s calling”, explained Gitten. “To teach from the Bible regarding our calling to Israel is of course important, but I think this was a fantastic way to let people get involved and get to know the Jewish people, how they live, and how they have a heart for others, like with this school. So, this was a way to connect both themselves as well as their churches back home in Sweden to Israel.”

The benefits of the trip ran both ways.

“The renovation of the wrestling center by the ICEJ and your Swedish volunteers made a huge impact on the 25 teens training there”, assured Saray Cohen. “They were astonished to return from their Passover vacation and find the center had changed completely. The ICEJ-Sweden donation towards this project and the work they put in it has pumped our children with lots of new motivation and pride. They feel honoured to be a part of the wrestling team and are eager to host future events here at Kfar Galim.”

We, too, are grateful when Christians around the world find practical ways to be a blessing to the people of Israel. If you have a small team with professional skills who might be interested in participating in a similar hands-on project, contact icejaid@icej.org.

Your financial support also enables us to bring hope to many in Israel. Donate today at: give.icej.org/givinghope.