Full Breakdown
Hashomer Hachadash Youth Lead Sukkot Cleanup in Kiryat Shmona
By Drooid · · How we work
Sukkot Volunteer Cleanup in Kiryat Shmona
During the Sukkot holiday break, hundreds of members of the Hashomer Youth movement, part of the Hashomer Hachadash organization, spent the week in Kiryat Shmona. Volunteers slept at a local campsite and each morning painted, cleared debris, brushed streams, and performed other beautification tasks in the city and its surrounding nature sites. The effort expanded during Chol HaMoed when participants from Hashomer Hachadash’s leadership program, pre-military academies (mechinot), and employees with their families joined the work.
Background: Damage from the Iron Swords War
Kiryat Shmona and the Upper Galilee have endured repeated rocket attacks during the Iron Swords war, resulting in destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and fires ignited by rocket fire. Since the war’s outbreak, Hashomer Hachadash has maintained an ongoing presence in the city, collaborating with the municipality and local residents on projects such as the Adam VeAdamah agricultural school network, which operates branches at Kibbutz Yir’on and Kibbutz Matzuva near the Lebanese border.
Official Statements & Community Response
Founder and CEO Yoel Zilberman emphasized that the youth chose to forgo family vacations to support the northern city, noting that Hashomer Hachadash volunteers engage in “national missions year-round,” from renovating bomb shelters to assisting farmers. Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern praised the organization’s consistent presence, describing the volunteers as “wonderful and inspiring.” Farmer Shai Golani of Kibbutz Malkia highlighted the ongoing cooperation between local farmers and the group, calling the relationship “excellent” and “very moving.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our youth, who were joined by Hashomer Hachadash employees during the week, take part in national missions year-round, from renovating bomb shelters and assisting farmers to painting the homes of the elderly and clearing debris from sites hit by rockets during the war,” — Yoel Zilberman, founder and CEO
- “Hashomer Hachadash has always been the first to arrive and volunteer across our city,” — Avichai Stern, kiryat shmona mayor
- “Hashomer Hachadash is always in our area for any task. They are always the first to ask, take an interest, and help us,” — Shai Golani