Meet Yocheved Kim.
A 20-something powerhouse who changed how Jews from all over the world were able to contribute to Israel’s war effort in the wake of October 7th. A woman who used her power to foster a passionate community of volunteers all eager to help the Israeli people, the army, the land, and by doing so, heal themselves a little bit, too.
Born in Baltimore, Yocheved’s childhood years were a mix of Jewish community and multiculturalism. She was born into an Orthodox family and attended both Jewish day schools and public schools. Despite the culture shock of transitioning between school systems, she recalls it being a positive experience, and never facing antisemitism in her youth. She attended university in South Florida, and moved to Texas upon graduation.
Yocheved and her brother had plans to go into real estate together after he completed his IDF service. He was scheduled to be released on November 12th... And then the war broke out and their lives changed forever in an instant.
On October 6th, Yocheved was getting ready for bed in Texas. She saw videos of the Hamas terrorists in the pickup trucks, but didn’t think too much of it. Afterall, “it happens once in a while,” she said, in reference to flare ups and terrorism from Gaza. Yocheved Kim turned off her phone and went to sleep.
The next morning, October 7th, she woke up to a single text message.
“Are you seeing what’s going on in Israel?” Again, she thought nothing of it at first. “It’s probably just rockets.” And then she opened social media. Each video was worse than the last.
“My brother drove straight down to the south to fight on October 7th. He was there by 11 A.M. I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t sleep, and I decided I needed to come to Israel.” 3 days later Yocheved’s brother messaged the family group chat to let them know that he was alive. Exhausted, but alive.
Yocheved called him immediately. “I know you’re so tired, and this is probably the last thing you want to talk about, but I’m coming to Israel.” He asked if she was sure, and then told her to stay in his apartment.
Three days later her flight was booked. Yocheved Kim flew to Israel 10 days into the war. Within five days she had raised $17,000 and amassed donations amounting to 23 duffel bags of supplies for soldiers. She packed one small bag for herself and boarded her flight for Israel. “I was only supposed to be here for two weeks.” She initially rebooked her return flight to the USA, eventually canceling it altogether. “I quit my job and I just haven’t gone back.”
She got off the plane and went straight to see her brother. A friend met her at the airport and drove her to the south. Yocheved hadn’t seen her brother in two and a half years. “He was so tired, he wasn’t even a functioning person. We don’t think about the soldiers like that – like humans with human needs. They don’t get to shower for days, they don’t get to sleep for days.”
It was a chance meeting that led to the formation of the international volunteer group ‘Sword of Iron’. Hagit and Shay were actively involved in fundraising for drones for the army. “My brother’s unit was getting a drone, so he went to pick it up.” He was invited in with his fellow soldiers and when learning more about what Hagit and Shay were doing, he insisted on connecting them with Yocheved who was doing similar work with equipment and supplies. The next day they met and the rest is history. Yocheved explained to Hagit what she had envisioned, and Hagit connected her to the right groups to make it happen.
‘Sword of Iron’ was born.
At the beginning it was just volunteering. “I would simply Google translate volunteer opportunities that I’d see in different WhatsApp groups and post them.” The group grew steadily.
At the time of writing this profile, Sword of Iron stands at over 32,000 members and continues to grow. The group consists of people from around the world – United States, England, Canada, Australia – both Jews and non-Jews alike. The group evolved into a movement that changed the narrative around what it means to be in Israel during challenging times. Through the platform, people shared their experiences, creating a sense of urgency and excitement that encouraged more individuals to visit Israel and contribute to various causes.
"We're still very much focused on the volunteering and giving back," Yocheved said. "But we really, really encourage people to share their testimonies because what you hear on the news is so scary. When you go on our page and see all the volunteering efforts happening, it's creating FOMO. If you're on our page, and you're not going to farms, and you're not planning a trip to Israel, it's like, what are you doing?"
The impact of Yocheved's work has been profound and far-reaching. From organizing farm volunteers to supporting soldiers, from helping at food banks to assisting in rebuilding efforts in the south, the initiatives have touched countless lives. The group has become a vital resource for both locals and visitors, connecting people with meaningful ways to contribute.
"We're more of a database, more of a resource than anything," Yocheved explained. "We don't really organize unless it's an event that we do. We don't let anything that costs money be posted in the group. We're very strict about that."
This commitment to providing free, accessible volunteering opportunities has made the group a trusted platform for those looking to help. It was easy to find, and to join, because it was named for the war. The group's success has highlighted the connection of the global Jewish nation felt towards the Jewish homeland. With antisemitism running rampant around the world, diaspora Jews felt hopeless, and joining Sword of Iron’s volunteer group gave them a small sense of healing, connection, and contribution while helping both soldiers and civilians through initiatives spanning from picking fruits and vegetables, to tying tzitzit (fringes), to cooking and packaging food and supplies for soldier, and everything in between.
It's less about the work and more about community. In terms of agricultural work, it takes 30 volunteers to do the work of one Thai farmhand. The support felt by the farmers to have volunteers arrive from around the world in droves is worth everything. “Israelis feel alone. The power is in coming here, spending money here, helping here, showing Israelis that other people stand with them.”
"We're more interested in getting involved in bridging the gap between the diaspora and Israel," Yocheved shared. "There's this disconnect between diaspora Jews outside Israel, and Israelis in Israel. I think it's important to bridge that." Sword of Iron created a community that is actively bridging the gap on a daily basis. People are coming to help Israel now, not just the war effort. People are now coming to help not only with agriculture, but with different vulnerable populations in need. Before Sword of Iron it was unfathomable that visitors to Israel would spend their days volunteering instead of sightseeing.
This commitment to Israel has become a family affair for Yocheved Kim. Her brother has been released and subsequently recalled to the army; he has served for more than 5 and a half years. Her father has come to visit, to work on farms and to help rebuild the south. Her mother told her that if she didn’t go to Israel, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
For Yocheved, this journey has been nothing short of transformative. She describes her decision to stay in Israel as "the biggest blessing in my life." The country, its people, and the work she's doing have given her a sense of purpose and belonging she hadn't experienced before.
"I've never felt so much community and so happy and loved in one place," Yocheved said, her voice filled with emotion. "I really feel honored and blessed to be doing this. I'm definitely a Zionist but it wasn't something taught in our home. It was just kind of something innate and just kind of something in this country, in our people."
As she looks to the future, Yocheved is filled with hope and determination. She's in the process of making Aliyah, officially immigrating to Israel, a decision supported wholeheartedly by her family. Her brother, who serves in an elite unit of the Israeli army, continues to inspire her with his dedication and bravery.
Yocheved's message to others is simple yet powerful: "Get out of your comfort zone. Come and join and volunteer." She believes that it's never too late to try something new, to meet new people, or to make a difference. The testimonies collected on Sword of Iron’s Facebook group all echo the same sentiment - that life is short, and that living for others and being part of a community is what makes life truly meaningful.
As Yocheved continues her work, she remains inspired by the stories of those who have been touched by her initiative. "It's changed their lives," she said of the volunteers. "They've felt like they can give back. Some of them have come to Israel for the first time by themselves to volunteer. People are really exploring different sides of themselves through this. It's amazing."
Of all lessons learned, perhaps the most poignant is that the Jewish community is coming together in strength and resilience.
“This is my home. These are my people. I’m a connector by nature, that’s what I do.” Yocheved Kim has no plans of stopping on her mission.
Life happens when you step outside your comfort zone. The more you’re out in the world, the larger an impact you can have on the world.
When asked for her message to Israel supporters around the world, she replied, “join our page, get out of your comfort zone. That’s it. Just come and join and volunteer. It will change your life.”
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