The communities of Sufa, Nir Oz and many others faced devastating attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, leaving many residents displaced and their homes in disarray. Now, as residents begin to return to their homes, the organization Lev Echad is stepping in to aid in the cleanup and preparation efforts necessary for their resettlement.

Lev Echad, a volunteer-based organization founded in 2000, has been dedicated to helping Israeli communities through challenging times. Since the onset of the war in October 2023, their focus has shifted to the southern regions of Israel, where the conflict has hit hardest. Sufa is one of several communities that Lev Echad is currently supporting.

To facilitate the large-scale cleanup efforts in these communities, Lev Echad has rented several homes in local communities to house volunteers. These homes serve as both lodging and a base of operations for the volunteers who work tirelessly to prepare the community for the return of displaced residents. These volunteers also have been asked to assist with farming work required to bring the produce in from the fields. Each home accommodates around eight volunteers, who spend four hours working in the morning and an additional two hours in the afternoon after a break for lunch.

Volunteers, many of whom come from within Israel, have been the backbone of Lev Echad’s operations. However, in light of the increasing demand for assistance, the organization is now actively reaching out to international communities, particularly in the United States.

If you’re interested in volunteering, sponsoring housing or donating to the cause, Lev Echad makes it easy to get involved. The organization welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and skills, requiring only a willingness to help and a minimum commitment of two days.

To learn more about Lev Echad’s work and how you can make a difference, visit their official website or contact their outreach team at [email protected].

You can also contact me for details or to coordinate a visit to the kibbutz. We can arrange for a group to go for several days. The organization provides lodging and food so your costs are covered while you’re volunteering.

It’s important to note, with university starting the number of volunteers is down. We are needed now.

David Siegel is a senior mortgage broker with First Israel Mortgages. He can be contacted at (201) 725-9527/[email protected].