The Do Good Podcast

Sword of Iron Israel Volunteering
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT

The Do Good Podcast is a powerful and heartfelt series that shines a spotlight on the incredible stories of volunteers who have traveled to Israel over the past 18 months to uplift and support its people during challenging times. Each week, listeners are invited on an inspiring journey through the eyes and voices of those who chose to bring light where there was darkness. Whether you’re seeking hope, strength, or a call to action, The Do Good Podcast reminds us that one act of kindness can spark a movement. Because when we do good, we inspire others to do good too.

  1. 2D AGO

    You haven't lived until you come to Israel

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood The Do Good Podcast is a space for real stories of compassion, courage, and action. In each episode, we sit down with people who choose to step forward rather than stand by. From volunteers on the ground, to leaders, change makers, and everyday individuals who quietly make a difference, these conversations shine a light on what it truly means to do good in a complicated world. This podcast is not about politics or posturing. It is about humanity. It is about showing up, lending a hand, building bridges, and holding on to empathy even when it feels difficult. Through honest storytelling and reflective conversation, the Do Good Podcast reminds us that impact does not always start with big gestures. Often, it starts with one decision to care. Whether you are looking for inspiration, perspective, or a reminder that goodness still exists, this podcast invites you to listen, reflect, and perhaps be moved to action in your own way. In this deeply moving episode of the Do Good Podcast, we meet Pamela Roy, a woman whose quiet courage and boundless compassion illuminate what it truly means to serve others. Living in Sparks, Nevada, Pamela had always dreamed of visiting Israel, the land she felt spiritually drawn to. Her first tour was booked for October 12, 2023, but the horrors of October 7 changed everything. Watching the events unfold from afar, Pamela felt a pull she could not ignore. Widowed, and having never travelled outside the United States, she made a brave decision. In 2024, she boarded a plane to Israel, not as a tourist, but as a volunteer. She would return three more times in 2025. A Christian by faith, and later discovering she was 14 percent Ashkenazi through genealogy, Pamela followed what she calls the light. When the Iran war forced the cancellation of her Sar El experience, she adapted without hesitation, choosing instead to volunteer every single day wherever help was needed. And help she did. From Shlomi’s food truck to Shuva Junction, from kitchens and food distribution points across the country to the chamals on Ben Yehuda with Pamela Lazarus and Revital, Pamela showed up again and again. One of her most meaningful experiences was volunteering at Sheba Hospital, and her greatest joy came from feeding, supporting, and spending time with the soldiers of the IDF. She also bore witness at Nova Festival site, holding space for grief, memory, and humanity. Pamela’s story is not loud or self promoting. It is steady, faithful, and full of heart. As she follows the light of her Christianity, she brings light into places of darkness through simple acts of service and love. Now preparing for her fifth trip in April 2026, with plans to volunteer throughout May, Pamela reminds us that doing good does not require perfection or prior experience. It requires presence, courage, and an open heart. This episode is a testament to the power of one person choosing compassion, and the ripple effect that choice can create. Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    46 min

  2. MAR 5

    Living in Berlin, destined for Israel

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Daniela Hupenbecker, a non Jewish woman from Berlin whose life took an unexpected turn after the events of October 7. Watching from Germany, she found herself horrified by what she was seeing unfold in Israel and equally disturbed by the hostility emerging on the streets of her own city. Although she had never previously visited Israel, Daniela felt compelled to act. Over the course of the year that followed, she became one of the driving forces behind more than 300 counter protests in Berlin, standing in visible support of Israel amidst weekly pro Palestinian demonstrations. Her advocacy came at a personal cost. She faced threats, online abuse, and intimidation, including a Star of David daubed on her front door. Yet she did not retreat. She chose to stand firm. One year later, Daniela boarded a plane to Israel for the first time. What began as conviction from afar became a deeply personal connection. Since that first visit, she has returned six times, volunteering through Sar El on army bases, donating blood during each trip, and serving at Shlomi’s food truck near Kibbutz Be’eri to provide meals for soldiers. This conversation explores what it means to confront antisemitism and anti Zionism in contemporary Germany, what courage looks like when standing in the minority, and how one individual can transform outrage into sustained action. Emotional, honest, and inspiring, this episode tells the story of a woman who chose to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel during one of its darkest hours. We hope you find it as powerful to listen to as it was to record   Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    45 min

  3. FEB 25

    Sometimes life clears a path before we even know why

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood On October 6, 2023, Benay Weinribb was living in Austin, Texas, when she unexpectedly lost her job. At the time it felt unsettling. In hindsight, it felt like preparation. A few months later, while visiting her parents in New York for a family simcha, Benay made a decision that would redefine her year. With family connections in Israel and a heart pulling her forward, she booked a ticket with no structured plan, no formal agenda, and no clear roadmap. She simply knew she needed to be there. Landing at Ben Gurion Airport, she dove straight in. That very evening she joined her nephew to help tie tzitzit for soldiers. From there, her days unfolded organically. Using the Sword of Iron Facebook community, she planned her volunteering on the fly, travelling between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, joining farming initiatives with the Leket bus to support Israeli farmers, picking fruit, and working the land. Her journey extended to visiting wounded soldiers at Sheba Hospital and participating in a guided trip with the JNF, where she also volunteered at a soldiers’ BBQ. Everywhere she went, connections were formed. Restauranteurs, fellow volunteers, soldiers, families. Each introduction seemed to lead to another embrace, another opportunity to give, another reminder of shared purpose. Benay’s story is not about grand speeches or headlines. It is about showing up. It is about compassion translated into action. It is about stepping into uncertainty and finding meaning through service and connection. Perhaps the most touching story is the one she shares about meeting Shiri Bibas’ sister on their moshav. It is both heartbreaking and heart warming in equal measure This episode is a powerful reflection on love for Israel, on community built in difficult times, and on what happens when someone chooses to say yes without knowing exactly how the story will unfold. An inspiring conversation about courage, connection, and commitment. Enjoy the episode. Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    45 min

  4. FEB 18

    Stand up Speak Up - affecting positive change

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood In this deeply moving episode, we are joined by Rachel Feldman from Montpellier, Vermont, an American whose connection to Israel spans decades and whose life was irrevocably changed by October 7. Rachel had previously lived and worked in Israel as part of the Israel Teaching Fellows programme, supporting underperforming schools and building lasting relationships with her students. One of those pupils, Ronnie, later became a firefighter. On October 7, while attending the Nova music festival, Ronnie was murdered by Hamas after attempting to save his friends. When Rachel learned of his death, something shifted forever. Returning to Israel was no longer a question. It became a certainty. Rachel took a three month leave of absence from her senior governmental role in Vermont and traveled to Israel. She arrived as part of a delegation and spent her first days visiting the massacre sites, bearing witness to the devastation and loss. Upon returning to the United States, her advocacy for Israel led to her role being changed and her voice effectively muted. Once Chief of Staff to the Governor, she was instructed not to speak publicly about Israel. Within weeks, Rachel made the decision to return. This time she went back independently, determined to strengthen the land and people she loved. Basing herself in Jaffa, she continued to advocate for Israel openly through social media, while also giving television and radio interviews to US outlets directly from Israel. Alongside her advocacy, investigative journalism  she volunteered wherever she was needed, baking challahs, supporting soldiers through Sar-El, and offering practical help on the ground during a time of national trauma. This is a powerful conversation about grief, moral courage, and choosing action over silence. Listen to Rachel Feldman’s extraordinary story of volunteering and advocacy as she strives to do good while the world around her is in chaos. Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    40 min

  5. FEB 11

    Helping Hands on the farm - Shabbat Otef Farming in Israel

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood Helping Hands on the Farm — Shabbat Otef Farming in Israel Since the outbreak of war, communities across Israel have rallied to support each other in new and meaningful ways. One of these grassroots responses is ShabbatOtefFarming.com, an initiative that connects volunteers with local farmers in need of extra help. Elisheva Picker created the website which functions as a hub where volunteers from all backgrounds and ages sign up to work alongside farmers on agricultural tasks such as weeding, harvesting and general farm support.  What makes this initiative especially unique is its weekly rhythm around Shabbat. Volunteers often organize their efforts on Saturdays, bringing people together to lend a hand on farms in the Otef region and beyond, with transportation provided thanks to partnerships with organisations like Leket Israel.  Over time, the group has grown to include hundreds of members dedicated to building community resilience and sustaining Israel’s agricultural life even in challenging times. For many participants, it’s not just agricultural work,  it’s coming together, learning from one another, and supporting farmers whose labour feeds both land and spirit.  Enjoy this wonderful episode with Elisheva sharing her story and how we can help the farmers in the Otef on a shabbat.  Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    38 min

  6. FEB 5

    The Citizens Kitchen - Feeding Israel with love and food

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood In this episode, we speak with Aaliyah Fastman, co-founder of Tel Aviv–based cooking studio Citrus & Salt, about how a small, community-driven food business was suddenly transformed by the events of October 7.  Aaliyah shares the deeply personal story of how Citrus & Salt pivoted from hosting cooking classes and cultural food experiences to becoming Citizen’s Kitchen—a grassroots initiative dedicated to feeding soldiers, displaced families, and others impacted by the war.  What began as a few emergency meals quickly grew into a large-scale operation powered by volunteers, compassion, and the belief that food can be a form of care, resistance, and connection in times of crisis.  This conversation explores how community rises in moments of devastation—and how something as simple as a home-cooked meal can become a lifeline. Take a listen and subscribe so you dont miss an episode  Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    39 min

  7. JAN 29

    The Magic House - Lives of Others - a beautiful story about saving dogs

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood Today we’re spotlighting Lives of Others, a remarkable dog rescue charity in Ramat Gan, Israel run by Tali Abadi and a dedicated team committed to transforming the lives of abandoned and mistreated dogs. This isn’t a typical shelter — it’s a network of home-style sanctuaries where dogs are rehabilitated with patience, love, and community support. One of their main sanctuaries, known as The Magic House, shelters up to 60 dogs and serves as a community-center where local volunteers walk dogs, children learn about animal welfare, and trainers help prepare dogs for their forever homes. The charity intentionally avoids euthanasia and excessive confinement, focusing instead on dignity and care. In usual years, Lives of Others finds loving families for around 250 dogs. But more recently, they’ve faced a drop in both adoptions and donations, even as abandonment rates climb. These challenges highlight how critical community support is right now. The charity also has deep emotional ties to personal stories — like that of a young Israeli soldier whose love of dogs inspired the creation of The Magic House in his memory after he fell in battle on October 7. Whether through adoption, fostering, walking dogs, or simply sharing their story, there are many ways we can help Lives of Others continue their life-saving mission. Want to help? Walk a dog, foster, or consider adopting — and please spread the word! 💙 #Animals #AdoptDontShop #LivesOfOthers   Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    38 min

  8. JAN 21

    Beef Up Our Boys an amazing story of how beef jerky is helping our soldiers

    Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood In the aftermath of October 7, as Israel faced one of the most challenging moments in its history, Chaim Rutenberg helped create a powerful grassroots initiative: Beef Up Our Boys. What started as a simple idea getting high-protein food to soldiers on the front lines - quickly became a movement of care, resilience, and action. Beef Up Our Boys is an Israeli-led startup and volunteer effort dedicated to supplying IDF soldiers with nutritious, kosher, high-protein meat snacks like beef jerky and biltong. These aren’t just treats - they’re practical fuel for soldiers operating under intense physical and emotional strain, often in conditions where proper meals aren’t guaranteed. But this story is about more than food. It’s about how civilians turned compassion into logistics. How communities mobilised overnight. How a small idea scaled rapidly to meet a national need. And how something as simple as a packet of jerky became a symbol of solidarity, morale, and unwavering support for those protecting the country. In this episode, we explore: How Beef Up Our Boys began in the days after October 7The real needs of soldiers on the ground and how nutrition plays a role in resilienceThe power of grassroots action in times of crisisWhy this initiative represents the best of Israeli innovation: fast, human-centred, and impact-drivenThis is a story of ingenuity under pressure, of people refusing to stand still in the face of tragedy, and of how meaningful support doesn’t always come in grand gestures -  sometimes it comes in a small package that says: you are not alone. Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

    40 min
See All (43)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Do Good Podcast is a powerful and heartfelt series that shines a spotlight on the incredible stories of volunteers who have traveled to Israel over the past 18 months to uplift and support its people during challenging times. Each week, listeners are invited on an inspiring journey through the eyes and voices of those who chose to bring light where there was darkness. Whether you’re seeking hope, strength, or a call to action, The Do Good Podcast reminds us that one act of kindness can spark a movement. Because when we do good, we inspire others to do good too.

Information

  • Creator
    Sword of Iron Israel Volunteering
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Do Good Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Do Good Podcast

You Might Also Like