As residents of southern Israel prepare to return to Western Negev kibbutzim devastated by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund, supported by Bituach Haklai (“Agricultural Insurance”), is distributing what they are calling homecoming kits.
Nearly two years ago, Hamas and Palestinian terrorists infiltrated Israel by air, land and sea, killing more than 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. In the aftermath, more than 62,000 civilians were displaced from towns near the Gaza Strip. Today, many of them have begun returning home.
For families resettling once-flourishing communities, the challenge is not only rebuilding destroyed homes and infrastructure but also restoring a sense of safety, security and belonging.
“Our primary mission is the rehabilitation of Israel’s kibbutzim and kibbutz communities in the north and south. We are engaged not only in physical construction but also in reviving the spirit,” said Neri Shotan, CEO of the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund.
“Just as we support initiatives in infrastructure, education, employment and other projects, we see supreme importance in investing in the emotional rehabilitation of these communities, which are the beating heart of the kibbutzim. We are here for them, long term, to ensure every family returns not only to a house but to a home—one that offers belonging, security and hope,” he added.
The kits include seeds for planting, symbolizing hope and renewal; calming herbal tea; a purification kit; and cards encouraging families to hold a homecoming ceremony.
“The kit was born out of genuine listening to representatives of the kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope,” said Ayelet Haris, head of the Kibbutz Movement’s Society and Community Division. “In our meetings, people spoke about the longing for home, the struggle to reconnect with the outside world, and the desire for community—a neighbor you can once again ask for a cup of milk.”
“The kit is our way of telling families, ‘We are with you,’ and providing a layer of support during the moving and difficult moment of returning home,” she added.
