Volunteer Spotlight: Brad Solomon, The Podcast King

When the war broke out, I couldn’t stay away. My first two trips, in November 2023 and January 2024, were about standing beside friends and my two nieces serving in the IDF. I spent hours at Hostage Square, joined vigils, and simply listened to people whose pain was impossible to ignore.

But on my third trip, I wanted to do more than witness. Through SOI-IVC (Sword of Iron Israel Volunteer Corp) I found Shanti Farm in Atlit. Growing up on a farm in the UK, I knew I could be useful. What I didn’t expect was to meet a broken street dog, shot on October 7 near Kfar Aza. She trembled when people came near, but every day I sat with her, showing patience until she let me touch her. I walked her and other abandoned dogs. Some disabled, others angry or afraid, but all of them desperate for love. Those moments of quiet connection, tail wags and small steps of trust, gave me as much healing as I gave them.

From then on, I kept returning working with displaced families, visiting wounded soldiers, supporting the Nova Tribe and always going back to Shanti Farm. I became part of SOI-IVC’s team, becoming a FB group moderator even helping launch the Do Good podcast to share volunteer stories and inspire others.

In total, I’ve spent seven months in Israel. The ripple effect of volunteering is real. I’ve seen it, felt it. And for me, it became deeply personal when I brought that same street dog home to England. Every day, she reminds me that even after unthinkable loss, hope and resilience can grow again.