An event symbolizing hope and renewal in southern Israel—featuring a distinguished panel of regional council heads and mayors from the Gaza Envelope—was aimed at presenting a vision of revival and rebuilding. Held on Sept. 26 in Ruhama, a kibbutz in the Negev Desert, and sponsored by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), it followed the launch of a solidarity delegation earlier in the week, which brought together some 300 partners from around the world who came to Israel to show support for the victims and families of this past year’s tragedies.
The catastrophic events of Oct. 7 were a devastating blow to the State of Israel. In response, KKL-JNF immediately mobilized to support recovery efforts, leading numerous initiatives to strengthen, rebuild and instill hope among Israel’s citizens, while reinforcing their connection to the land. The organization has committed hundreds of millions of shekels to rebuilding communities impacted by the destruction and providing temporary housing for displaced residents. Additionally, tens of millions of shekels have been allocated to firefighting forces for both immediate and long-term needs, and to support security forces and residents. Significant funds and efforts are also being directed towards the restoration of forests damaged by terrorist attacks during the war.
As part of these efforts, the event in the Gaza border area—titled “Seeds of Hope”—showcased a new neighborhood for evacuees from Kibbutz Kfar Aza under construction, along with other projects aimed at rehabilitating the region. KKL-JNF has invested a total of NIS 300 million (about $81 million) in these initiatives.
Certificates of inscription in KKL-JNF’s prestigious Golden Book were presented in memory of Ofir Libstein, a former KKL-JNF board member and head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council who was killed during fighting with Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7, and to Hanoch Daum for his contribution to promoting businesses operated by reserve soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces.
The event also featured performances by singers Anna Timofei and Liron Lev, along with a local choir from the Gaza Envelope. As part of KKL-JNF’s ongoing support for the southern region, all suppliers involved in the event were local residents and IDF reservists.
Key speakers included KKL-JNF chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski, as well as mayors and regional council heads from the Gaza Envelope. In her remarks, Ovadia-Luski said: “We chose to conclude KKL-JNF’s Solidarity Week with our delegations, brought to Israel, right here in Kibbutz Ruhama, in the new neighborhood that KKL-JNF established for the residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza. This is the Zionist vision brought to life.”
She continued, saying “KKL-JNF rose to the challenge, mobilizing partners from our global offices to contribute to these vital Zionist projects, focusing on the recovery of local communities and the renewal of this remarkable region. This moment reflects an extraordinary unity, as the Jewish people from across the world come together to build and strengthen the State of Israel in what has been a challenging year.”
