Manara - a beacon of hope

Kibbutz Manara (“lighthouse” in Arabic) is situated atop the highest peak of the Ramim Ridge, at Israel’s northernmost point, overlooking the Lebanese border. Since its establishment in 1943 by members of Youth Aliyah, the kibbutz has played a vital role in maintaining a steadfast presence on the land and protecting the country’s borders. Over the years, its unique and strategic location has shaped not only its security challenges, but also its character: an open and free environment in the heart of a wild, mountainous landscape, combining strength and natural beauty with intimate and meaningful community life. Manara has long fostered freedom of expression, diversity, and initiative. Today, it seeks to build a high-quality social and communal framework rooted in the strength of the community—a stable and connected community with a shared sense of responsibility, whose members take an active role in shaping a safe, thriving, and sustainable future. Following the events of October 7, the community was uprooted overnight and dispersed among 40 different communities. Life in dispersion during the war left the community facing profound uncertainty, the ongoing security threat along the northern border, and both personal and collective post-trauma. Approximately one year ago, the community began a process of physical, security, emotional, and communal rehabilitation, guided by the Building Back Better strategy—an internationally recognized model for rebuilding disaster-affected areas. This means not merely returning to what existed before, but building a stronger, safer, and more attractive kibbutz for the long term. The kibbutz is now in the midst of this process, and the results are already evident. Since last July, approximately half of the community has returned, and the kibbutz has begun to recover. Efforts include rebuilding communal infrastructure, comprehensive demographic planning, welcoming Nahal groups, promoting demographic growth by attracting young adults and young families, conducting ongoing resilience-building activities, restoring physical infrastructure, renovating residents’ homes, and strengthening both security measures and residents’ sense of safety. Despite these positive developments, major challenges remain. Those who have returned are living in temporary conditions within an active construction site, while others are waiting for infrastructure and homes to be completed before they can return. At the same time, the kibbutz faces a significant demographic challenge: bringing the remaining Manara families home while welcoming new families and building a balanced, resilient community. The Roar of the Lion War  brought nearly all these activities to a halt and severely disrupted the lives of the returning community, which has once again found itself on the front line and directly in the line of fire.  For more information and  collaboration, please contact:  Iris Hen 050-4613514  / resources@manara.co.il  We are collaborating with the Kibbutz Movement Fund to accept donations. The Fund does not charge any fees.   If you'd like to donate directly through a bank transfer, please get in touch with the treasurer of Manara, Tsadik Hamza, at gizbar@manara.co.il .