Bianca Brouwer, who lives in Tel Aviv, had been teaching English for several years, but felt deeply uncomfortable with the job. She had also trained as a masseuse in South Africa, but she needed stable work and relied on her teaching to get it. Repeating the same thing day after day left her feeling exhausted, empty and monotonous.
But like everyone else, her world truly changed with the Oct. 7 massacre, which seemed to place a giant mirror in front of each individual, forcing them to reexamine their lives and their meaning, and to engage in what gives them the most fulfillment. For Brower, this meaning went much deeper as she helped soldiers by providing massage therapy.
She went from teaching to volunteering, and her journey providing massage therapy to soldiers took her across the country, meeting fascinating people from all cultural backgrounds and witnessing how soldiers live, breathe and work. She experienced the country’s many climates and terrains and interacted with soldiers from many different arms of the military, each with their own unique focus yet united in their mission. Being a massage therapist spending time in the military lifted Brouwer out of her previous mundane life and into a world of possibility filled with meaning, contribution and purpose. Her own find was service to others.
Brower is a member of the Tikvah Brigade, a group of 100 therapists who provide massage, energy healing, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and other services to soldiers. The brigade is now expanding its reach to reservist wives and those in between, who are physically and mentally worn out by the war. Volunteers make time to be in the field, setting up massage tables in tents and military bases (one time, unfortunately, right next to a rocket strike site), giving those in need a much-needed break to recharge and relax before returning to their rigors of duty.
Although there are other groups that provide alternative therapies to IDF personnel, Brower said there is no competition between the groups, but rather a sense of camaraderie and a common mission. Everyone is in it to help each other, and there are countless people who benefit from the services. Many of the therapists belong to multiple volunteer organizations, so they can choose better days to help around their personal work schedules. Brower himself used to volunteer as many as six days a week, but because of the large number of volunteers, he has been able to cut it down to one or two days.
The more time she spends with the soldiers, the less she sees them as soldiers. As they work, loosening their weary muscles, the soldiers often talk about their lives, shedding the leather they carry every day. Beneath the heavy artillery and protective gear hide human beings with wounded hearts. Often humbled by her work, Brower has learned to tone down her usual cheerful nature and become a more passive, receptive listener — one who is in tune with the energy and emotional state of the people she’s working with. She listens, internalizes it, and helps ease their pain with her presence and gentle, exuberant touch.
Brower has found that volunteers and soldiers alike are grateful when it comes to words of support. While monetary donations help to cover fuel and supply costs, it’s the kind messages and votes of encouragement that lift their spirits more than anything and make the country stronger from the inside.
Maya Angelou famously said, “I’ve learned that people forget what you said, people forget what you did, but people never forget how you made them feel.” Everyone has the opportunity to support, encourage, embrace and help lift others up in whatever way they can. For Brouwer, that’s massage, empathetic listening, the ability to be there for many people in many different situations. And just below that, for volunteers, encouraging those who lift them up.
To make a monetary donation or show your support for the volunteers and soldiers, follow Brower on Instagram or send him a message at @the_tikva_unit.
Sarah Abenaim is a writer, life coach, and journaling workshop curator who lives with her husband and children. To feature in her “Out There, In Here” story, [email protected] Or David Siegel [email protected]To learn more about how you can contribute to the war effort, visit tinyurl.com/rinat-volunteeringinisrael
