On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel in 2025, the Hands across Borders program brought 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 and the subsequent war. 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 aimed 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?
Recap of the program
The program consisted of three parts: a joint trip to Berlin, various online workshops during the summer months, and a joint trip to Israel.
In May 2025, our 22 participants gathered in Berlin.
Through various inputs – including one from Dr. Tamara Or, Director of the Future Forum, as well as from the Leo Baeck Institute (LBI) Jerusalem and the Israel Network – participants learned more about the current state of German-Israeli relations and the challenges associated with them. In addition, the group gained direct insights into various forms of civil society engagement in Germany, for example at the NGO Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus e. V. (Kreuzberg Initiative against Antisemitism) and the Babelsberg Fan Project. Other highlights included a conversation with Hakan Demir, Member of the German Bundestag, and a visit to the Berlin food bank Tafel e. V., where the participants took an active part and contributed hands-on.
The second meeting took place in Israel, in September 2025. In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Tamra, the group got to know organizations such as Hofshi B'Artzenu, Hitorerut, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, SAHI, and Syndianna of the Galilee.
In addition to workshops, the group held discussions with Jewish and Arab stakeholders about the importance of volunteer work in times of crisis and got involved in hands-on activities – such as SAHI's large Rosh Hashanah event, where disadvantaged youths packed food for people in need and then distributed it. A particular highlight was the discussion with German Ambassador Steffen Seibert, who addressed the participants' questions. The program was complemented by various guided tours that gave the participants insights into different social, cultural, and political realities in Israel.
The project has highlighted how important it is, even in difficult times, to connect young, committed people from both countries, to learn from each other, and to develop shared perspectives for a democratic future. In addition, over the course of the year, the participants have become a private binational network that has built trust and forged connections that extend far beyond the project itself.
The program was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Videos and Photos: © DIZF / Maya Steinberg
