Kibbutz Sufa held the inauguration ceremony on Aug. 20 for a new community garden in memory of three of its members who died in the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Donated by JNF-KKL Scotland, it is dedicated to the memory of kibbutz member Bernard Cohen, who was murdered on Oct. 7; Ofir Erez, also murdered that day; and Ido Hubara, who was killed while fighting alongside his comrades in the kibbutz’s emergency response unit.
The event in Sufa was attended by Michal Uziel, head of the Eshkol Regional Council; Orna Toeg, head of the Scotland, Ireland and South Africa Desk in KKL-JNF’s Resource Development Division; Elisha Mizrahi, manager of KKL-JNF’s Friends of Israel Department; members of the Sufa community; and kibbutz leaders.
Almost two years after their evacuation, members of Kibbutz Sufa have begun returning to their homes. In the midst of this homecoming, the community gathered to dedicate the new garden. For many, it was the first time since Oct. 7 that they stood together again on kibbutz grounds. The dedication of the garden and the communal gathering marked an important step in the residents’ return to life in Sufa.
Amit Weitz, community director of Kibbutz Sufa, said that “after a long and difficult period, we are finally returning home, step by step. The return is not only physical, but also a return to our shared life, our values and the resilience that has always guided us.”
He added that “we will forever remember our friends who were murdered and fell in the horrific massacre, and their heroism until their last moments. We thank JNF-KKL Scotland for its contribution, and look forward to a safe and peaceful return to a full and joyful life in the kibbutz.”
