Life of an Indian Caregiver in Israel
I connect with Yogita Chhetri, an Indian caregiver living in Israel over a video call, eager to hear her story. Suddenly, a siren wails in the distance, followed by a heavy boom—likely the Iron Dome intercepting an Iranian missile overhead. Calmly, Yogita moves to the safe room, guiding her 88-year-old care-recipient, continuing our conversation post-siren, as if it were any other day. Even amid conflict, life goes on in Israel.
As someone committed to demystifying Israel, I want to share another perspective today. Through the eyes of an Indian worker, we witness a side of Israel rarely seen in headlines: a country that is resilient, caring, and deeply human.
Yogita, originally from Kalimpong, a scenic town nestled in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, India, moved to Israel in late November 2023. She arrived weeks after the Hamas-led massacre of Israeli civilians of October 7th. Despite the danger, she chose to come to Israel to work as a caregiver. “Everyone wanted me not to go because of the war,” she recalls. “But I decided to come. You can face danger anywhere—even outside your home. When my time is up, it’ll be up.” Her courage reflects the mindset of someone committed to caring for others, even in uncertainty.
The Perception of Israel: Before and After
Yogita Chhetri is an Indian worker from the Gorkha community of India, currently living in Israel (Photo courtesy: Yogita Chhetri).
Before moving to Israel, Yogita worked extensively in healthcare and with NGOs in Delhi, supporting vulnerable populations and elderly patients who needed financial or medical assistance. She had also spent months training in Delhi, learning medical practices, caregiving duties, and basic Hebrew, preparing herself for the responsibilities that awaited her. Relatives who had lived in Israel encouraged her to take the opportunity, sharing their experiences of the people and culture.
Her first weeks in Israel surprised her. “Many people back home think Israelis hate Indians,” she said. “But from the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and loved. I don’t feel far from home.” Yogita shares a vivid example: in her first job, she fell and injured her back while assisting a patient. Strangers, colleagues, and even elderly community members went out of their way to help her—escorting her to hospitals, ensuring she received treatment, and checking in repeatedly. “Even people in their eighties helped me stand or walk when I couldn’t. I never imagined such care.”
I, too, have witnessed this kindness multiple times. During an Indian cooking class I organized in Jerusalem, my friend and I were returning from a long shopping trip with multiple bags. A man passing by saw us struggling and stopped his car, insisting on helping carry the shopping bags. Small acts like this reveal the warmth and kindness that are usually absent from media portrayals of Israel.
Life in Israel
Life in Israel, especially during conflict, demands resilience. Through the elderly lady who she takes care of, Yogita has discovered how to remain calm in moments that could provoke fear and anxiety. Her 88-year-old care-recipient, who has experienced the Holocaust times in Europe as a child, calmly follows her to safe rooms during sirens, reassuring her caregiver: “Don’t worry. It’s happened before, and we’ll get through it.” This calm, grounded attitude is not only a testament to Jewish strength but also to the State of Israel’s robust infrastructure and safety measures designed to protect citizens and foreign workers alike.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – MARCH 24: First responders gather near a crater left by an Iranian missile on March 24, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Erik Marmor/Getty Images)
For foreign workers, Israel provides fair wages, health insurance, and strong protections. Yogita emphasizes that caregivers receive good salaries, safe working conditions, and comprehensive support. Beyond financial security, she highlights the safety of the country, particularly for women. “I can move freely at night, whether traveling alone or walking the streets, and never fear harassment,” she says. “This allows me to focus on my work and feel at home.”
Culturally, Yogita has embraced Israeli life wholeheartedly. She enjoys local food—falafel, hummus, and pita—and often prepares Indian dishes for her care-recipient, blending her heritage with her new home. She admires the clean streets, good infrastructure, and, above all, the warmth of the people of Israel. “I never feel far from home. The love and care I receive here make it feel like a second home.”
Although Israel is known for its falafel and hummus, food is very diverse too based on which diaspora returning Jews had lived in (Photo courtesy: Paushali Lass)
Yogita Chhetri also provides practical insights for Indian workers considering opportunities abroad. While many in India considering working abroad think first of the Gulf, Europe, or Singapore, Israel offers competitive salaries, excellent protections, and a safe environment. Friends and relatives who have worked in Israel have returned home to build better futures for their families, showing how these opportunities can be transformative. “I recommend people come here if they have the chance,” she says.
Social Media and Standing Up For Israel
Nowadays, Yogita uses her social media platform, creating Instagram reels that document her life in Israel during wartime. Her videos range from everyday moments to alarms and emergency procedures, some of which have gone viral. While most respond with encouragement, she also faces a barrage of hateful comments, particularly from certain sections of the population in the Indian subcontinent, questioning her decision to live and work in Israel. “I’m just sharing my experience—how people treat me and how strong this country is,” she explains. “Many misunderstand Israel and spread misinformation, but the overall response has been overwhelmingly positive. There is something wrong in their heads, because of what they write. But even if they send me hate comments, I don’t care. I will keep sharing facts.”
Fighting hate on social media but also receiving a lot of encouragement standing up for Israel (Photo: Yogita Chhetri Instagram page, photo design: Paushali Lass)
Yogita’s courage extends beyond her work. Despite thousands of negative comments on her social media, she continues to post authentic videos, documenting her life and sharing what she sees. Trolls question why she doesn’t make videos about Gaza or accuse her of being paid by the Israeli government, but she refuses to be silenced. “I’m not a spokesperson for anyone. I’m sharing my life. People can criticize, but my truth is what I experience here.”
Her story underscores a crucial point: firsthand experiences often reveal a very different picture than headlines or social media narratives. Israel, through Yogita’s eyes, emerges as a country that cares for its citizens and foreign workers, embraces diversity, and fosters resilience—even under attack.
In a world where standing up for truth often invites criticism, Yogita’s honesty and bravery are inspiring. She shows that it is possible to acknowledge the realities of conflict while celebrating the everyday acts of kindness, safety, and care that define life in Israel.
Life of an Indian caregiver in Israel (Photo courtesy: Yogita Chhetri).
For anyone seeking to understand Israel beyond the media narratives, Yogita Chhetri’s story is invaluable. It is a reminder that real-life experiences—like guiding an elderly patient to safety during a siren, witnessing the kindness of strangers, or thriving professionally while helping others—offer a perspective that numbers and headlines cannot. Her story strengthens India–Israel ties, challenges misconceptions, and illustrates the human side of a nation too often misunderstood.
Through her courage, empathy, and resilience, Yogita reminds us that even in times of conflict, humanity, safety, and opportunity coexist, and that truth can shine through despite the noise of misinformation and hate.
Paushali Lass is a geopolitical consultant, intercultural educator, writer, and international speaker of Indian origin, based in Germany. She is the author of two books, including “Tasting Faith: Jews of India – Unveiling Stories, Sharing Recipes, and Preserving their Vibrant Legacy”. Deeply connected to Israel, she builds bridges across business, politics, and culture between Israel, Germany, and India..