Founded in 2007, the Israeli NGO HaShomer HaChadash has dedicated the past 18 years to realizing Zionism by infusing “love of the land” into Jews from the Diaspora and Israelis. With the mission of bringing agricultural volunteers to Israeli farms, HaShomer HaChadash has created a bond between hundreds of thousands of volunteers and the Land of Israel, at the same time helping farms and ranches in need.
As founder and CEO, Yoel Zilberman has grown the NGO from a small-scale volunteering scheme to a huge operation that can be mobilized in times of crisis. During the previous summer’s Israel-Iran War, HaShomer HaChadash deployed teams across the country, helping with the emergency response in affected areas as well as working to keep food production stable. According to Zilberman, its actions during the war exemplified the NGO’s mission of “protecting homes, supporting farmers and standing firm in the face of adversity.”
Rebuilding Israel's South
Sharing a similar commitment to resilience and community strength, Alon Futterman was appointed to head Soroka Hospital's strategic rebuilding and growth efforts following the Iranian attacks on Beersheba. He also serves as founding director of the Kfar Aza Foundation, established after the brutal October 7 Hamas massacre that claimed 1,400 innocent lives across Israeli communities.
In Kfar Aza specifically, 64 community members were killed and 18 of the 240 kidnapped individuals are from the kibbutz, with many homes suffering irreparable damage. The Foundation's mission is to form strong partnerships that benefit the community and its leaders, building toward a promising future while supporting those affected by this tragedy.
Under Alon's leadership, the team has achieved remarkable success, raising tens of millions of dollars from donors in Israel and worldwide.
Prior to October 7, Alon led two major organizations over ten years. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Keren Hayesod - UIA, one of Israel's four national institutes serving the State of Israel and the Jewish people. He also founded and led TALMA, a flagship program providing quality education and leadership development for students, teachers, and job seekers in Israel's peripheral communities. TALMA represents a joint initiative of the Israeli government, the Schusterman Foundation, and the Steinhardt Foundation.