JNF Canada has “adopted” Kibbutz Kissufim and has dedicated its major fundraising campaigns for this year to supporting the rebuilding, return and recovery of the kibbutz and it’s 300 members. Kissufim is in the Eshkol Region, close to Gaza in the north-west part of the Negev. It’s a beautiful area surrounded by green fields, groves, orchards, and carpets of anemones during the winter season.
On October 7th, 16 members of Kissufim were murdered by Hamas, three were kidnapped and dozens were injured. Following that horrific day, after many residents stayed in hiding for over 12 excruciating hours, they were evacuated to the Noga Hotel near the Dead Sea. The brutal terrorist attack left profound scars among the members of the community, especially the children and youth: many are suffering from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and social challenges. Families are doing what they can to remain resilient and focus on what needs to be done to return home.
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The terror attack left much of Kissufim destroyed. Homes, shelters, ambulances, community buildings, the chicken & dairy farm – all were subject to evil and deliberate destruction, with the goal of making Kissufim unliveable. But the Israeli people are resilient, and they have the support and love from the Jewish Diaspora in Canada with them. The residents have painfully assessed the damage and identified the most critical rebuilding projects:
A sheltered daycare, currently in the advanced stages of construction, needs to be fortified with shielding against rockets and missiles. A fully protected daycare will ensure that children and staff have a safe space to go to when the alarm goes off. This is critical for the emotional stability of children but also parents in their post-Oct 7th recoveries, knowing their kids are protected at pre-school while they begin forming work and home routines again. This daycare will serve three pre-schools and is aiming to be ready by the beginning of the 2024 school year.
A youth centre will create a nurturing and inclusive environment where Kissufim’s youth feel supported and empowered to express their feelings and experiences openly. Kissufim is small, and before Oct 7th, the youth group numbered nineteen. Tragically, two friends Noya Dan (12) and Sagie Zak (15) were murdered on Oct 7th. During this challenging period, their primary focus is on providing essential mental and social support to the group as they navigate the profound impact of the recent loss of their friends. The centre will provide trained counselling, as well as an after school club and a place for homework. The current building is outdated and in disrepair, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere and failing to meet the needs of Kissufim’s kids through their healing and recovery. The renovation will comprise of several activity spaces, a fortified shelter and two private therapy rooms, and is expected to be completed and open within a year.
A resilience clinic for post-trauma treatments will allow community members to receive much-needed therapy and care closer to home. More than 70% of people who have experienced a traumatic event will develop symptoms of PTSD. This resilience clinic will house individual and group therapies, workshops and support groups, training for educators in dealing with children suffering from trauma, and counseling services for families. These services will be vital to Kissufim’s members when they return home and face the enormous task of recovering from Oct 7th. A member from the kibbutz shared, “We firmly believe that the clinic will serve as a cornerstone for Kibbutz Kissufim, aiding the community in its journey of healing from trauma and paving the way toward a brighter tomorrow.”
The social club will be the heart of the community, a meeting place for all members. It will serve two purposes: First, it will be fortified against gunfire and missiles, providing a safe haven for kibbutz members during emergencies. Second, it will be the gathering place for various community events, meetings, lectures, and workshops. Socializing is an absolute necessity in the healing process, fighting isolation and anxiety, while fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Finding moments of joy during hardship is the ultimate symbol of resilience and a mitzvah for the Jewish people. The social club will be built within an existing building to minimize costs and construction time while ensuring accessibility and centrality.
An outdoor “Ninja” adventure park will serve as a recreational gathering spot for individuals of all ages to engage in adventurous outdoor exercise, crucial for physical wellness, boosting mood, alleviating anxiety and depression, enhancing sleep and managing stress. With climbing walls, nets, swings, obstacles and a trampoline, the park will promote adventure and exercise, bolstering both the physical and mental well-being of community members of all ages and fitness levels. The projected timeline for planning and construction is 9 months.