In June 2024, Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President of Aid & Aliyah had the privilege of attending the ground breaking ceremony at Kibbutz Be’eri. Here is an excerpt of what she had to say.

“I drove up to the gate of Kibbutz Be’eri, with a sense of anticipation, looking forward to the cornerstone ceremony set to take place in a few hours. Yet this anticipation was tempered with sadness as I recalled how the Kibbutz was ravaged by terrorists eight months ago. Having endured the loss of 101 friends and loved ones murdered by terrorists and the destruction of 150 buildings on October 7^th, I realized that for residents, while breaking ground on the new Shikmim neighbourhood is a reason for joy, many complex feelings linger in the background.

“Speaking to Channel 12, resident Miri Gad Mesika described “very difficult feelings” on this day, “but on the other hand, my home was burned down, so I don’t have anywhere to go back to. There’s no choice but to rebuild and move forward.” Similarly, Ruth poignantly captured the bittersweet sentiment of the occasion: “The guns are still firing, and we are still refugees in our own country. In these circumstances, it’s not simple to think about returning home – especially when we still have hostages whose fate we don’t yet know.” Her words resonate deeply, reflecting the difficult reality faced by many residents who yearn for normalcy amid profound loss.”

You can read Nicole’s article here and watch a video of her visit by clicking the button below.

Kibbutz Be’eri stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Having endured the loss of 101 friends and loved ones murdered by terrorists and the destruction of 150 buildings on October 7th, breaking ground on the new Shikmim neighbourhood is a reason for joy, but many complex feelings linger in the background. The ICEJ will continue to stand with Be’eri and other communities of the Western Negev as they rebuild their lives.