As communities in Northern Israel continue to face ongoing challenges, the Livnot U’Lehibanot educational program remains a magnet for young Jewish adults seeking meaningful engagement with the land, its people, and Jewish heritage.
For Orli Garfinkel and Jeremy Etelson, who arrived to volunteer and learn in Safed during the recent Sukkot holiday, that mission also became deeply personal.
Orli, 23, from Amsterdam, and Jeremy, 29, from Washington, D.C., joined Livnot U’Lehibanot’s Sukkot program, which integrates hands-on volunteering, connection to Israel through nature, experiential Jewish learning, and tangible support for communities in the North. They met at the organization’s campus and national heritage site in the Old City of Safed and soon found themselves working side by side on projects supporting the local community and the surrounding region.
Through days of shared work, learning, and holiday experience, a connection formed. Elisheva Mirvis, Vice President of Livnot U’Lehibanot, reflected on the significance of the story: “Orli and Jeremy’s story is a testament to the power of shared action. At Livnot U’Lehibanot, we believe that through meaningful volunteering and a direct connection to nature and Jewish heritage, strong bonds are formed. Seeing young people arrive from across the globe to strengthen the North, and find not only a connection to the People of Israel, but also to one another, is the realization of our vision."
The bond between Orli and Jeremy deepened around shared values and a commitment to contributing during a complex period for the country. “We came to give of ourselves and strengthen Israel during a challenging time,” the couple shared. “Through teamwork and field activities, we quickly realized that we could handle life’s challenges together. Livnot U’Lehibanot created the environment for that growth.”
A 45-year legacy of connection
Orli and Jeremy’s story is part of a 45-year legacy at Livnot U’Lehibanot, during which more than 350 couples have met through its programs. During their time in Safed, the couple even encountered participants who had met through Livnot U’Lehibanot 35 years earlier - a full-circle moment highlighting the organization’s multi-generational impact.
Just three months after their initial meeting in Safed, Orli and Jeremy became engaged. Today, they are building their lives as new immigrants (olim) in Jerusalem, with hopes of eventually settling on a moshav in Northern Israel.
“Safed and Livnot U’Lehibanot feel like our home away from home,” they shared. “It’s the place where we learned that we aren’t only building and restoring communities, we’re also building ourselves and our future in Israel."