How Israelis and American Jews Can Build a Shared Future Through Service

In an op-ed by Cindy Greenberg, President and CEO of Repair the World, and Dana Talmi, Executive Director of Yahel – Israel Service Learning, they described how the Jewish Service Alliance Israel Service Seminar brought together 24 leaders from the U.S. and Israel for a weeklong volunteer program that included painting murals, assembling furniture for seniors, and packing food for families across Jerusalem. The initiative, co-organized by Repair the World and Yahel, demonstrated how service can strengthen bonds between Israeli and American Jewish communities while providing meaningful ways to contribute beyond political discourse. The program emphasized that service serves as both a tool for healing and connection, transforming participants from visitors into partners working toward Israel’s future through hands-on community engagement.