In the heart of a country dealing with multiple war fronts, two women from different corners of the world found themselves driven by a shared purpose: to help others in desperate times. Jeanette Roberts and Sharon Schildmayer, both volunteers, arrived in Israel at pivotal moments and chose to stay, despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding them.
Ynet studio interview with Sharon and Jeanette
(Video: Lior Sharon)
For Jeanette, her journey began on October 7, 2023, the day the war erupted. She had been visiting Israel when chaos broke out, forcing her to return home. But the stories of need and desperation that followed stayed with her. “I was at a bit of a loose end in life,” she admitted, “and I thought, I could come back and volunteer. Give my time.” And so, she did. Despite the alarms, the explosions, and the fear, Jeanette returned to Israel, determined to make a difference.
Sharon, on the other hand, had already been in Israel since April 2023. Her path to volunteering was shaped by her experiences in another war zone. She had been in Bucha, near Kyiv, Ukraine, witnessing firsthand the devastation of war. Coming to Israel was originally meant to be a respite, a chance to visit friends in Ashkelon. But when October 7 came, bringing the war with it, Sharon knew she couldn’t remain a bystander. “I was not afraid about rockets, because in Bucha I had experience” she explained. She joined her friends in Ashkelon to deliver food and comfort to those in need, and eventually connected with an organization called Voice to expand her efforts. “In my heart, I felt now is the time to help,” Sharon said.
Her experiences in Ukraine had prepared her in many ways. Rockets and alarms were not new to her, and she carried with her the resilience she had developed in Bucha. “I was happy to support Israelis,” she shared. “Ashkelon was horrible, but during that time, people did not came out of their flats, and we brought them hot food.”
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As far as Jeanette was concerned, the decision to stay in Israel during the war wasn’t an easy one. Her family and friends were deeply concerned, thinking she was, in her words, “a bit mad.” She had moments of doubt herself, but her faith sustained her. “I pray a lot,” she said, “so I knew the peace of God, and I felt it was okay to come.” In the face of challenges, it was this connection to her faith that helped her cope. “Really knowing God and praying,” she explained, “to be honest, that’s what helped me.”
Sharon’s family, too, worried for her safety. But they understood her unwavering dedication to her values. “I live by a message I learned from the Jewish Bible,” she said. “Love God and support people in need.” She had been to Israel many times before and had a deep love for its people. Her message to her family was clear: “Please don’t believe the media when they speak bad stuff about Israel—it’s not true. I’m here, I’m safe, and I’m praying for Israel.” Beyond volunteering, Sharon saw herself as an ambassador, encouraging her family back in Germany to support Israel and speak out against misinformation. “Yes,” she said with conviction, “I’m an ambassador.”
Jeanette’s contributions extended beyond immediate aid. She became involved in fundraising for Akim Haifa, an organization that she held close to her heart. “They do great work—really great work,” she said passionately. “There are people who are so dedicated to making the lives of others better, day by day. There are real friendships, and there’s real love for the people they help.” Supporting Akim Haifa felt like a natural extension of her desire to make a positive impact, and she found joy in the work she was doing.