‘You feel part of something bigger’: Immigrants volunteer to support Israeli soldiers

Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli is a grassroots initiative that connects Russian‑speaking immigrants with Israeli life and volunteer opportunities.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

As Israel faces an unprecedented manpower shortage in its military support units, new immigrants from Russia and Ukraine are stepping up to fill the critical gap.

With thousands of reservists stretched thin after months on active duty, the recently arrived volunteers still navigating their place in Israeli society are helping sustain the soldiers on the front lines.

On a Sunday, a busload of volunteers arrived at the army’s Tzrifin food base near Rishon LeZion, toured the facility and received a briefing before launching into their tasks.

The operation unfolded like a well-oiled assembly line: some packed canned goods into boxes, others included plastic cutlery and napkins, while another group stacked the completed boxes on pallets for shipment.

“The atmosphere was warm and united,” said Elianora, who immigrated from Ukraine a year and a half ago.

“I could see it in everyone’s eyes—we knew this wasn’t just about food. We were sending a message to our soldiers: we are here for you.”

For Grisha, 38, who immigrated from Russia two years ago, volunteering was a personal declaration of commitment.

“I’m too old to begin serving in the army, but that doesn’t mean I can’t serve my country,” he said with a smile.

“I took a day off work to be here. My boss asked why, and I told him, ‘Because my soldiers are out there, and this is what I can do for them.’”

Grisha admitted that the transition to Israeli life was challenging at first.

“I didn’t know the language well, I didn’t know the customs. But days like this… you feel Israeli. You feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”

Linda Pardes Friedburg, founder of Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli, which organized the initiative, said.

“New immigrants often tell me they want to help but don’t know where to start. They come here, leave their entire world behind, and sometimes feel like they’re standing on the outside of Israeli life, looking in.

“Volunteering for the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] changes that. It turns uncertainty into purpose, and strangers into teammates.”

Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli is a grassroots initiative that connects Russian‑speaking immigrants with Israeli life and volunteer opportunities.

The timing of these volunteer efforts is critical. “The IDF has plenty of equipment, but it doesn’t pack itself,” Friedburg noted.

“With so many reservists exhausted, the manpower gap is real. Every box packed by a volunteer means a soldier can stay focused on the front instead of worrying about logistics.”

The day was punctuated by moments of camaraderie — shared jokes, encouraging words, and the steady clatter of boxes being sealed.

A lunch break turned into an impromptu storytelling session, with volunteers bonding over shared experiences of immigration, war, and the universal desire to contribute.

By day’s end, dozens of pallets stood ready for shipment. The base commander personally thanked the volunteers, emphasizing that their work was “as important as any operation happening in the field.”

The packing usually takes place every two or three weeks, sometimes more when there’s demand.

Elianora described the experience as deeply meaningful.

“When I came to Israel, I often felt lost. I didn’t know if I truly belonged. But today, I didn’t just feel like a guest in this country. I felt like a citizen, a partner, someone who matters here.”

Friedburg sees this initiative as a vital part of integration. “This is integration in its purest form,” she said.

“Not through speeches or policies, but through shared action. Shoulder to shoulder, Israelis by birth and by choice, working together for one goal—protecting the home we share.”