138 farmers were assisted by 11,333 Agricultural volunteers
and 417 Operational volunteers.

As every year, we celebrated the traditional HaShomer Holiday, a time to appreciate the good and recognize the organization’s accomplishments from the past year. This year’s theme was remembrance, action, and hope, with events filled with stories of bravery, civic courage, and mutual responsibility. We aimed to remind ourselves how, even after the destruction and loss experienced this year, a new generation is rising-a generation that will emerge from the ruins, the hardships, and all the fronts to fulfill a renewed Zionist vision. For the first time, a National Missions Fair was held alongside the event, featuring leading organizations and associations in agriculture, settlement, community security, aid, and advocacy. Thousands attended, including alumni, parents, youth, students, and staff, joining together to remember our fallen and pray for the kidnapped and soldiers

 watch the video that was screened at the central ceremony of the HaShomer Holiday as a tribute to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have participated since the outbreak of the war in Israel's Food Rescue Operation. Volunteers from across the Israeli spectrum and from all over the country who came to save the agricultural produce and assist the farmers.

Keepers of the Forest from HaShomer HaChadash, in partnership with KKL, are on the front lines, risking their lives under constant missile attacks to save Israel's northern farmland and forests amidst relentless wildfires ignited by ongoing conflict. This week, they responded to a devastating fire in the Bar'am and Birya regions, joining forces with KKL and Fire and Rescue teams. Working late into the night, these brave responders fight tirelessly to protect Israel’s agricultural heartland, yet the need for more equipment and resources is urgent as fires threaten to overwhelm the area.

A new pre-military leadership program center in the Golan Heights was established in memory of Sergeant Itamar Shamen, a graduate of the HaShomer HaChadash leadership program, who fell in the Iron Swords War while serving as a combat paramedic in Gaza. In collaboration with his family, HaShomer HaChadash initiated a fundraising campaign to establish this new center in the Golan Heights, which will serve as a home for participants in the organization’s pre-military leadership program. This initiative will continue Itamar’s legacy and his love for agriculture and the land. Thanks to the generous donations, the new center was established at Avnei Eitan, in partnership with the Agritech Institute of Shamir. Young pioneering women who chose to dedicate the year before their military service to meaningful volunteer work, including land work and supporting farmers, are now volunteering at the lookout. 

A special and inspiring volunteer day was held to commemorate Sahar Ashouan, a graduate of HaShomer HaChadash’s “People of the Land” program, who was killed on October 7th at the Nova Festival. Sahar was a young man full of life, joy, and generosity, who chose to work as a farmer with “People of the Land” out of values and love for the land. Together with his family and friends, HaShomer HaChadash honored his memory in a way he loved: through land work, giving, and mutual responsibility. The volunteer day, held on his Hebrew birthday, attracted over 600 participants from across the country at three volunteer sites in the Sharon region, the Gaza Envelope, and Mateh Yehuda. Following the volunteer work, a memorial study session and a powerful ceremony were held in the presence of his family and friends from HaShomer HaChadash

During the Sukkot holiday, the 47th Yossi Yafe Memorial Event was held. Each year, hundreds of youth members from The New Movement participate in this unique event, shaped by Yossi Yafe’s character and vision. Over four days 600 of them volunteered in agriculture, helping farmers, and hiked along the Burma Road from Mitzpe Harel to Yaar HaMeginim in the Shfela area.

They learned about the history and heritage of the area, as well as the character and vision
of Yossi Yafe.

HaShomer’s angel investment club Eretz Noshevet invites its members to our first ag-tech Zoom webinar on November 27, where 5 ag-tech startups will do speed pitches of 3 minutes each. 

The startup line up: 

Algahealth (microalgae for the nutraceutical weight loss market)

Day 8 (upcycling leaves for unique protein for food industry)

Linok (sensor for early detection of inflammation of the mammary gland in cows)

NOF (CO2 use for extending shelf life of harvest in-field)

A surprise.