Yad Leah, the organization that provides quality clothing to thousands of needy families throughout Israel, is proud to offer volunteer opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

While volunteers have had the privilege to come to its Passaic warehouse to help sort and pack up clothing to Israel, Yad Leah’s Kesher program lets volunteers bring their chesed to Israel and see firsthand what the organization actually does in Israel.

“The Kesher Experience gives people here who are volunteers—supporters and donors—an opportunity, when they are traveling to Israel, to really see what happens to all the clothing,” explained Yad Leah director Jessica Katz, and it’s a meaningful way for people to see how the whole process comes full circle. Although it has been designed for bar/bat mitzvah-age kids, the program can be tailored to any group, or anyone who would like to participate in the actual project.

When clothing gets donated here in the States, it ultimately gets sent to any one of 23 different branches of Yad Leah gemachim in Israel. The way it works is before a group goes to Israel, a representative from that group will contact Yad Leah and tell them what part of the country their travels will take them to. With four different locations from which to choose for the Kesher program, the group selects which destination works best with its itinerary.

One of the locations that groups can choose to visit is in Beitar, run by founder, director and former Teaneck resident Karen Thaler. That location is an excellent option for visitors whose plans include a stop in Gush. For those traveling up north, there is a location in Tzfat where visitors can get a truly authentic Israeli experience that they are not likely to get anywhere else. In Kiryat Arba, by Meirat Hamachpelah, visitors will find an extremely large facility that services a vastly diverse population. In the more remote Elon Moreh, a site famous for its connections to Tanach, participants will find that the Yad Leah gemach there provides an invaluable service for a community where typical social services aren’t as easily accessible as they are in other parts of the country’s more urban areas.

Participants will get to select from a number of different projects in several different categories. Depending on the project that resonates most with the group, Yad Leah will ask the group to collect and bring with them to Israel small, lightweight items in their selected category. Some of those categories include items for new mothers, brides, students going back to school or kids who are becoming bar/bat-mitzvahs. Items to collect or purchase can include pacifiers, onesies, hair accessories, costume jewelry etc.

When the group’s participants arrive at the specified location in Israel, they are met by a volunteer from that particular Yad Leah gemach who will then explain what they do there and how and why it is helpful, and give the group a tour of the facility.

Next comes the actual project, for which the items collected by the group will be supplemented with other items from the gemach’s location. The group will then have the opportunity to create, design and wrap up gift packages—with decorative gift packaging that Yad Leah will provide—and write a personalized note. The newly wrapped packages will then be distributed immediately to their intended recipients.

The experience allows participants to experience what it feels like to be in one of the Yad Leah shop gemachs. To see the whole process from beginning to end, Katz explained, “It gives people a feel for what it means to give in a very significant way…It’s hands-on. It’s fun…It’s interesting…and people find it very meaningful.” Participants are asked to donate items that speak to them and have meaning. “We give lots of options because we want people to be excited and passionate about it…to do what resonates with them.”

The Kesher Experience allows volunteers to see the process, understand all that is involved in it and talk to the person in charge of the operation. Katz added that it especially gives kids an understanding of not only what it means to give, but what it means to give in a smart, impactful way.

“Sometimes we want to give but the way we want to give is not going to be helpful to people. So how can we give in a way that truly meets people’s needs?” Katz explained how the Kesher Experience really gives kids an understanding of how to give in an impactful way, and they often emerge from the experience recognizing how fortunate they are to have all that they do, and wanting to do more. The experience also empowers kids when they realize that they too have the potential to do something to help Klal Yisroel.

As for those who are looking for a meaningful and local volunteer opportunity, they can still enjoy the Pack for Israel Experience, right here in the Yad Leah’s Passaic warehouse, where assistance is always needed to help sort, pack and ship items off to Israel.

For more information on Yad Leah’s Kesher Experience and other volunteer opportunities visit https://yadleah.org. You can also email [email protected].