From Displacement to Renewal - Workshop Alumni and Friends Supporting Ma'ayan Baruch

From Displacement to Renewal - Workshop Alumni and Friends Supporting Ma'ayan Baruch After 20 long months of war in the North, the community of Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch has finally returned home. While the fighting has ceased, the urgent journey toward recovery is just beginning. The moment to rebuild is now. The Habonim Workshop family and friends are stepping up to restore the Living Memorial Library. This project honors all of Ma'ayan Baruch’s fallen, with a special dedication to our beloved friend and fellow workshopper, Ron Jay (z"l). More than just a building, this library will serve as the heartbeat of the renewed kibbutz. It is designed to be a vibrant, essential hub for learning, connection, and growth—anchoring the community's future. Our Vision We are transforming the library into a comprehensive cultural and community center. Beyond lending books and encouraging reading, the space will host educational events and cultural gatherings for the entire kibbutz, from children to the elderly. The Renovation Plan To make this vision a reality, extensive renovations are required, including: • Restoration: Repairing the entry plaza and lobby flooring, and replacing windows shattered by blast damage. • Infrastructure: Installing new air conditioning and upgrading to modern lighting. • Expansion: Adding a kitchenette/pantry and constructing a drywall partition in the storage room. • Finishing: General plaster repairs, painting, and furnishing with new shelving, furniture, and computers. We invite you to stand with us. Invest in the future of Ma'ayan Baruch and help us plant seeds of knowledge and hope where they are needed most. About us: Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch Ma’ayan Baruch was founded in 1947 by Jewish-Zionists from South Africa, alongside Palmach pioneers from Kibbutz Kfar Giladi and the U.S. "Habonim" movement. On March 11, 1947, these pioneers settled on a deserted hill along Israel’s northern border, establishing a thriving community in the spirit of Zionism and the State of Israel. On October 6th, approximately 700 residents lived in Ma'ayan Baruch. A vibrant, productive, and joyful community. The Challenge We Face For 78 years, Ma’ayan Baruch stood strong, but on October 7, 2023, everything changed. On Simchat Torah, as the horrific attacks unfolded in southern Israel, our community was forced to evacuate for the first time since the War of Independence. Initially, we believed we would return within days, but history had other plans—16 months later, we are still displaced. Nine months into the war, a 50kg Hezbollah missile struck the heart of our Kibbutz, causing widespread destruction. . Homes, public spaces, daycare centers, our library, and the memorial monument were all damaged. Thankfully, there were no casualties, but the impact left deep scars—both physical and emotional. Our Mission: A Resilient Return On March 1, 2025, after 18 months away, we are finally returned home. Our success depends on rebuilding our foundations, but rebuilding goes beyond repairing buildings—it’s about restoring the heart of our community. We need to revive essential services, restart education programs, and ensure that when our people come back, they truly feel that Ma’ayan Baruch is their home once again. Now is the time to restore not just structures, but our spirit. We aim to revitalize our community with new life and energy, ensuring that Ma’ayan Baruch remains a symbol of strength and unity. We see this rebuilding effort as the new Zionism of 2025—an opportunity to reaffirm our values, just as our founders did nearly 80 years ago.