On October 8th, the World Showed Up.

The Volunteers follows bridge builders from across the globe as they land in a post-October 7th Israel.  Fueled by a shared instinct to help, they join a massive grassroots volunteer movement led by Yocheved Rottenberg - a dynamic young American who built a 45,000-strong volunteer network, The Swords of Iron Israel Volunteer Corps, connecting global citizens to communities in urgent need. 

As they journey across Israel, the volunteers dive into hands-on efforts—delivering meals to displaced families, harvesting crops alongside farmers in the north, painting bomb shelters in border towns, organizing supplies in pop-up relief centers, and rebuilding playgrounds where children can feel safe again. 

Over the course of one intense, transformative month, these strangers become something more: a team, a chosen family, and part of a living portrait of a country defined not by headlines but by human connection, diversity, resilience, and shared hope.  

Filmed over eight episodes in a vérité, cinematic style, The Volunteers blends the kinetic energy of a travel adventure with the soul of a human drama - and a little rom-com, too. 

In tone and texture, think Parts Unknown for a new generation—raw, unscripted, diving past the headlines into real human stories. Like Down to Earth with Zac Efron, it balances mission-driven travel with personal transformation. 

 Their paths wind through a land where opposites collide and coexist—  ancient streets meet modern skylines; deserts give way to bustling cities; centuries-old traditions pulse alongside high-tech innovation. Volunteers move from sun-soaked vineyards and quiet mountain villages to the vibrant nightlife of Tel Aviv and the shores of the Mediterranean, from hummus shops to healing circles, beach parties to grief support groups. Every encounter reveals new stories, voices, and perspectives. 

Set against the backdrop of one of the most complex and misunderstood regions on earth, The Volunteers reveals an Israel alive with vibrant diversity. 

They hear the call to prayer ring out over bustling Muslim markets, share in the reverent quiet of Christian processions through Bethlehem, and visit Druze villages where elders gather for sacred wisdom circles behind closed doors. In Ethiopian homes, they’re welcomed with hand-roasted coffee ceremonies—rituals of warmth, patience, and pride. And they join Jewish families around Shabbat tables, where candles are lit, wine is blessed, and ancient songs fill the room with a sense of timeless belonging.

And along the way, they connect with other volunteers and immigrants from nearly everywhere: South Africa, Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, Switzerland, France, England, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Russia, Ukraine, The Philippines, Thailand, and on and on.   

Through these moments, the series immerses viewers in a rich tapestry of faith, tradition, and shared humanity. 

The Volunteers speaks to global audiences craving authentic stories of human resilience, cultural discovery, and meaningful impact. 

It appeals to young adults, socially conscious viewers, and fans of transformational unscripted content. 

This is a timely series that offers both escapism and grounding—an emotional journey with real-world significance.

This is the rare unscripted series that actually means something—and leaves you wanting more.