בונים מחדש- משפחות מניר-עוז

Nir Oz, a small kibbutz nestled near the Gaza border, was established in 1955 and flourished into a vibrant community and agricultural hub. Over the years, it has become a haven for numerous families who chose to call it home, despite the persistent threat of missiles from Gaza. In the past 15 years, our community, including many young children, has endured the deeply distressing experience of regular battles, often requiring evacuation from the kibbutz for weeks, if not months, at a time for our safety. Despite the overwhelming emotional toll, our unwavering love for the kibbutz and our community, combined with our community’s resilience and the assurance of protection from security forces, has kept us united as a strong and spirited community. On the early morning of Simchat Torah, October 7th, heavily armed Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Nir Oz, while the kibbutz was still asleep. There was no warning and no military assistance. The people of Nir Oz hid in their shelters for hours, while those who could, fought the terrorists with the scarce weapons they had. The battle was long and horrific. Houses were set on fire by Hamas in order to force civilians out or burn them alive. This went on for hours, resulting in the abduction of 77 Nir Oz members—equating to a third of all Israeli hostages—and the tragic loss of 40 kibbutz members and employees, including children and the elderly. Nir-Oz is the community mostly badly hit on October 7th, with a staggering one in four individuals either kidnapped or killed (117 out of 400). It took long hours for the security forces to arrive, and upon their arrival, their task was limited to aiding the survivors and tallying the deceased. At present, our community is adapting to temporary housing in apartment buildings situated in the city of Kiryat-Gat, all while grieving the loss of our loved ones and striving to secure the release of those still held captive by Hamas. Understanding the importance of preserving our unity, the community is compelled to allocate time and energy to proactively plan and execute their transition back to a rural setting. This transition is crucial for sustaining our way of life and aiding in our rehabilitation. While our community yearns to return to the familiar grounds of our beloved kibbutz and resist Hamas' attempts to uproot us, we, a group representing roughly half of the community’s members, find ourselves compelled to prioritize the crucial task of rehabilitating our community in a quieter environment, with a particular focus on the younger generation. We understand that the burnt Kibbutz, burdened with memories of the tragic events that shattered our lives, alongside the ongoing uncertainty of the security situation, has deeply impacted the children's trust and heightened their fear. Thus, moving back to the Kibbutz grounds is not a feasible solution for our future, while maintaining a strong, supportive community is essential. The current situation in Israel is one of the most significant disasters it has ever faced, and we understand it will be a long time before public systems stabilize and focus on the long-term rehabilitation of communities and individuals. With the State’s resources stretched thin, it is evident that those alone will not fully cover the long-term rehabilitation needs of our community, particularly our requirement to secure a new location in the quieter Northern Negev with a robust Kibbutz lifestyle. Presently, 40 families have joined our initiative, and we anticipate more families to join once plans begin to materialize. To match the funding provided by the state, we estimate needing to raise $25.8 million. Your generous donation can make a significant difference in helping us rebuild our lives, nurture a thriving community, and uphold our values as an integral part of the Kibbutz Movement in Israel's future. We deeply appreciate any support you can provide. Rest assured, all relevant paperwork for tax authorities will be promptly sent directly and automatically to your email for your convenience. Plus, if your generous contribution exceeds 50,000 NIS, we highly recommend becoming a Jgive platinum donor through a quick procedure. As a platinum donor, you'll enjoy the benefit of our platform waiving any commission on your donation, maximizing the impact of your support.