On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel in 2025, the Hands across Borders program brings together young people from Israel and Germany who are actively engaged in volunteer work in their respective countries.
Since the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, Israeli civil society has accomplished incredible feats in dealing with the political and social aftermath of the attacks. At the same time, German civil society is facing growing challenges due to increasing anti-democratic developments. Especially in times of crises like these, we want to promote and strengthen respectful dialogue and democratic engagement within and between both countries.
With Hands across Borders, we aim to do exactly that: first, by honoring the 60-year-long diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel, and second, by looking toward the future and asking: What should our societies look like in the years to come? What can we do to strengthen civil society in both countries and create new opportunities for exchange between Germany and Israel?
What Has Happened So Far
In May 2025, the 22 participants from Israel and Germany came together in Berlin for a week to get to know each other, exchange their experiences on topics related to civic engagement, and learn together.
The program was framed by the 60th anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations. Dr. Tamara Or, Director of the Future Forum, offered the participants a thorough insight into the current state of bilateral relations and the challenges associated with them. In an interactive workshop hosted by the Israel Network, participants explored the role of civil society in both countries. The Leo Baeck Institute (LBI) Jerusalem complemented the program with a historical perspective on the development of German-Israeli relations, since 1948.
Another focus of the trip was civic engagement and the strengthening of democratic values. A workshop on awareness, led by one of the participants, trained the group in how to sensitively deal with people in tense situations. In addition, the group visited various organizations actively promoting democratic values, such as the NGO Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus e. V. (Kreuzberg Initiative against Antisemitism), the Babelsberg Fan Project, and the “Hostage Square” at Bebelplatz. The program also included a visit to the German Bundestag – with a conversation with Member of Parliament Hakan Demir.
A particular highlight was the visit to the Berlin food bank Tafel e. V., where the participants took an active part and contributed hands-on. As a result, they gained direct insight into the work of a German organization that relies on civic engagement and makes an essential daily contribution to social cohesion.
In addition to the content-focused program, there was also plenty of time for shared experiences and socializing –including a party with more than 300 young people from Israel and Germany and a boat tour on Lake Wannsee.
Outlook: Summer Sessions and Trip to Israel in September
During the summer months, three workshops will take place online, co-designed and co-led by the participants.
If the security situation permits, the group will reunite in Israel, in September 2025. Building on the encounters and discussions in Berlin and the Summer Sessions, the participants will deepen their connection, explore further aspects of German-Israeli relations, and, through their involvement in various organizations, gain a deeper understanding of the importance of democratic engagement and civil society in Israel.
