ASF Plants a Tree Together with Kivunim in Haifa

Kivunim and Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste share a partnership that has grown over many years. In her welcoming address, CEO Rotem Eshed-Lavi described how closely ASF volunteers were integrated into the daily lives of the participants in Kivunim’s programs prior to October 7. They accompanied young Israelis with disabilities to the supermarket, cooked with them, supported them in using public transportation, and served as reliable conversation partners on questions of relationships, future perspectives, and personal development.

Because the volunteers were often close in age to the participants, a special closeness developed. Sharing everyday life created bonds of trust and mutual understanding. From this lived experience, friendships emerged that often lasted well beyond the formal period of volunteer service.

Rotem also presented innovative initiatives through which Kivunim has responded to the particular societal challenges of the past war years. She spoke about the Smadar Institute, a clinical center for psychotherapy for people with disabilities and their families, where therapy is offered not only in Hebrew and Arabic but also in sign language – a rare and urgently needed service in northern Israel.

Another important project focuses on participants with disabilities who also identify as LGBTQ+ and who experience multiple forms of marginalization. Kivunim creates protected spaces in which identity, self-determination, and a sense of belonging are strengthened.

The emotional highlight of our visit was Nofar’s personal testimony. She shared how, as a young woman, she had been left without family support and often had to face life on her own. During this time, she met Uli, a German ASF volunteer. Uli, too, was far from her family in Germany and navigating the challenges of a new beginning. From this shared experience, a close bond developed. Nofar described how they went shopping together, how Uli supported her in everyday situations, and how they spoke about future plans, relationships, and the desire for independence.

When Uli decided to stay in Israel for a second year, she took on responsibility as a mentor for other volunteers while remaining Nofar’s most important confidante. After Uli returned to Germany, they planned for a long time to see each other again. Nofar traveled to Berlin, met Uli’s family, visited her grandmother in a nursing home, and gained insights into German everyday life. Later, they met again in Europe and traveled together.

More than 14 years later, they are still in contact. For Nofar, Uli was never “just a volunteer,” but the person who helped her believe in her own ability to live independently. If Uli had had the courage to leave her home and take responsibility in a foreign country, then – as Nofar put it – she too could take the step toward building an independent life.

At the end of our visit, Rotem from Kiwunim, Estefania from the ASF office in Berlin and ASF Country Representative Uriel planted an almond tree together on the grounds of Kivunim. It stands as a symbol of a partnership that has grown over many years – of strong roots and of a cooperation that we hope will continue to grow and flourish.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Iris Barabi for organizing this meaningful meeting and for her long-standing commitment to the partnership between Kivunim and ASF. We thank Kivunim warmly for this meaningful encounter and express our hope that, after the pause caused by the war, we will soon be able to send volunteers to Kivunim again and resume our many years of fruitful cooperation.