Kibbutz Nirim, a vibrant community of 400 members, marked its 77th anniversary on October 6, 2023. Just one day later, tragedy struck—more than 60% of the kibbutz’s plantations were burned and destroyed, and many members of the community were murdered or kidnapped.
In the aftermath, the need for trauma treatment and therapy for the survivors became urgent. Thanks to the support of JNF Australia, a formal trauma treatment program was established, offering immediate emotional support to the community. This program has played a crucial role in restoring a sense of security, providing a space for inclusive dialogues, and creating a natural therapeutic environment for residents to heal.
Nearby Kibbutz Magen, home to 450 members, was also deeply impacted by the events of October 7. Several members, including the community manager and her three children, were abducted during the attack. The remaining residents were relocated to a hotel at the Dead Sea, where they received therapy and support for the entire community.
Determined to overcome the trauma and rebuild their lives, Kibbutz Magen is now focused on creating a resilience centre to support its multigenerational community. The centre includes a sensory space for children with special needs, a dedicated therapy room, a post-birth centre for newborns (including the four babies born since the relocation), and a central hall for dance classes, music performances, and group activities.
Through the JNF Blue Box Pesach Campaign this year, JNF successfully raised funds to support these essential diagnosis and therapy rooms at both Kibbutz Magen and Kibbutz Nirim. This initiative provided crucial spaces for healing, helping these communities rebuild both emotionally and physically after the devastating attacks.
Dafna Ben Ami, Director of Development from Kibbutz Nirim is already seeing the profound impact this is having on the community and says, “On behalf of the Kibbutz Nirim community, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the JNF Australia for the generous donation. Your support is a beacon of hope for our community. The diagnosis and therapy program is crucial for the rehabilitation and resilience of our community. Your donation also provides the necessary resources to make essential preparations for the long-awaited return home and access to professional guidance and support during this pivotal time.”
