Israeli Innovation: Yedidim
- Jan 25
- 1 min read
Yedidim, which means “friends,” is an Israeli volunteer network built on a simple idea: when someone is stuck, help them.It was founded in 2006 by Meir Ben Shushan, who noticed how often people were left stranded by everyday problems like flat batteries or locked cars. He began organising volunteers so neighbours could help neighbours quickly, free of charge, and without fuss.What started as a small, local effort grew steadily. In a country where formal roadside help is limited, Yedidim became the help people built for themselves. Word spread, volunteers joined, and it grew into a nationwide network operating across Israel.Using a mobile app and local dispatchers, Yedidim connects people in everyday trouble with nearby volunteers. A flat battery, a locked car, an elevator that won’t open. Help arrives quickly, with no questions asked.It is ordinary people showing up for one another, quietly and reliably.