Last week I had a conversation with Micha (not his real name) from one of the kibbutzim on the border with Gaza. Before the war he had confided in me about the covert activities he and a few others were engaged in; secrecy was important out of fear of Hamas. I felt privileged that he trusted me with his story. How I respected this man, who had been working for years for peace with their neighbors in Gaza! He and many others invested their own time to give the people on the other side of the border a chance. Today I can tell you something about it. His entire project fell apart on October 7.
Micha and many others in the Gaza border communities gave their lives for people on the other side of the border. Micha was in contact with businessmen in Gaza. He tried to draw up a program for a group of young men in their twenties who had no work and no future at all. There would be programs to teach them how to work in agriculture, and education would be given on several subjects. He hoped that he could give these young people in Gaza hope for the future; he even brought groups of Arabs from Gaza to visit Israel. The businessmen in Gaza with whom he had contact wanted to cooperate with him for this purpose; at least that’s what he thought!
He came to my mind often after October 7, but I couldn’t reach him. Now, I have met Micha again, tired, exhausted and incredibly disappointed, but fighting to rebuild his kibbutz and come to terms with the trauma.
I asked him how he feels after October 7. He did not reply in depth but only said: “As long as they continue to instill into their children aged 3 and 4 the desire to kill us, there is no chance. Perhaps, if the children receive a different education, we could try again in 20- or 30-years’ time. We thought there were maybe 30,000 fanatical Hamas members living on the other side, but I’m saying now that all of Gaza is Hamas.”
Aid to these Jewish kibbutzim near the Gaza border (where the red dots appear)
The people living near the Gaza border are diverse and we help both religious kibbutzim and secular communities, which is very interesting and—hopefully—keeps us steering the middle course. Politics is just a part of being here; you either agree or you don’t. There is nothing wrong with that in itself. That is why it is good, especially for people who do not live here but think they know best, not to pray for the right or the left but to pray that justice will prevail.
Because I am involved with so many of these beautiful people, I look at their hearts. I have a lot of respect for my friends on the border, who always maintained hope and never spoke with hatred about the people in Gaza. In addition, many feel guilty that they accepted the rockets from Gaza raining down on them for 23 years and that Israel did nothing. One thing is clear: all the hostages must return as quickly as possible at any price. How broken the people are, but how incredibly strong they are!
What an incredible privilege that we as a foundation can have contact with these people and be able to put an arm, by word and deed, around them. Yad L’Ami = a helping hand for My people.
What beautiful projects we have already been involved with in recent times! We were able to provide a lot of help with picking fruit, cleaning, or packing vegetables. Even a large project was tackled: on January 5, 8 men came from the Netherlands to help bring back life to one of the kibbutzim close to the Egyptian border that had remained uninhabited since October 7. A few of the men share their experience:
Arjen Fennema, landscape architect and board member writes:
“Praise Adonai, call on His name, make His deeds known among the nations. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him, Speak attentively of all His miracles. Boast in His holy name, Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Psalm 105: 1–3
What a beautiful, blessed, encouraging and edifying week we had together in Kibbutz Sufa! The group consisted of eight Dutch and four Israelis.
The ‘green’ project started at the kibbutz’s armory, which we ‘wrapped’ in green, due to the horrors on October 7: tall bamboo, flowering shrubs in pots and a built-up pergola. A succulent garden was laid out along the path towards the kindergarten. Around the buildings we created a garden with espalier fruit trees, colorful and fragrant plant borders, where different plants and bulbs will bloom all year round, a healing garden, fragrant (citrus, Jasmine, Stephanotis) and colorful, with butterfly-attracting plants.
A large wooden platform was also installed in the play area of the kindergartens. The gardens around the kindergartens are connected by a garden with ‘islands’ of flowering perennials.
It was touching to see a group of men from the Netherlands coming to Israel to help build and plant an abandoned and broken kibbutz. I experienced how we were allowed to make this project together under God’s fatherly protective wings. He led the project and formed us from the start into a close-knit and loving team, despite differences in background and age (18–63 years!). This way we were able to realize this huge garden project in 5 days!
We pray that this project may contribute towards the return of the residents to their homes and that the blooming, fragrant gardens may be a healing and blessing!
Thom Holtland, volunteer (21 years old):
I underestimated the impact of this project on the inhabitants of Sufa and on myself. We were able to leave beautiful work behind and make the kibbutz a little more of a home. Before the trip, I couldn’t imagine what it was like to live in a situation of war. After seeing the places and hearing the impressive stories about October 7, I still can’t imagine that. The pain, the sadness and the constant threat remain unreal to me. I will never really understand it, because I, myself, grew up in a safe country without war or violence. Still, I consider this trip to be enormously valuable. I am very grateful that we were able to show our support not only in words, but also in deeds to the people there.
Albert Flier, volunteer (celebrated 40th birthday in Israel):
A week of odd jobs in Kibbutz Sufa? I wouldn’t have thought of that myself. To be honest, I was soon able to answer the question of whether I wanted to help out in Israel for a week: of course, because the Israeli people have already had to go through an awful lot.
For the working week, we were blessed with a great gardener, Arjen Fennema. Everything was prepared down to the last detail, and we were able to get started right away. It was lovely under the sun with 22 degrees, a wonderful working week with 11 powerful guys.
That week we laughed together, prayed, cried, and did a lot of work. All this was because all these men and I are proud of God’s promised land and of His People Israel and that we may be grafted into it. That makes you happy. I was able to meet many grateful and loving people.
Thank you to Yad L’Ami, who gave us the opportunity and to those who made our stay possible.
Amit Weitz, director of the Sufa community:
We would like to express our deep appreciation for Yad L’Ami’s involvement and continued contribution to the Kibbutz Sufa community, in various areas (equipping the meeting places, which were completely destroyed).
In particular, we would like to thank the volunteers from the Netherlands for their work. These valuable people chose to leave their homes and their families for an important purpose: to help rebuild our kibbutz. During their stay here, they worked with dedication to install a pergola, build a wooden terrace, and restore the landscape of the kibbutz. The feeling that people abroad chose to volunteer and dedicate their precious time to our community strengthens us and gives us hope. Their hard work is another pillar in strengthening and restoring our kibbutz and helping in the process of returning the community to their homes, even in these complicated days.
With great appreciation and thanks, on behalf of the community of Kibbutz Sufa. (complete letter here)
That was not all. The relationships are continuing. Gardener Atar, who works in the villages around Gaza, came across Aviva. Aviva and her husband Keith were taken hostage on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where 64 people were brutally murdered and 19 kidnapped. Aviva was released in November 2023, but Keith remained as a hostage in Gaza.
Their Story: I Survived Hamas Captivity, But I’m Not Free Yet – the Atlantic. Keith was on the list to be one of the first to be released in the first phase, which of course did not happen, but in the meantime Keith’s wife sought help. The greatest gift for Keith would be upon his return home to be able to sit in a garden.
In the meantime, the request was made to Yad L’Ami. Arjen, a landscape architect and board member, again came up with a plan and together with 5 volunteers from communities on the border, who had all experienced October 7, they went north at 05.00 in the morning, where Aviva was waiting in her house for her husband Keith. The garden was turned from chaos into an oasis with a herb corner, spring bulbs, plants and shrubs that give off wonderful scents, a patio with 2 chairs, a table with flowers on it, 2 glasses and a bottle of wine, with a card from Yad L’Ami, “Out of love.” The family was deeply touched by so much love. And then? Three days later he was released, but first he was admitted to the hospital. He looked awful, but Aviva and their children were able to hold husband and father in their arms again. When he comes home, a big surprise awaits him.
It is not primarily about what we all do, but about the precious relationships that are forged. How can we further help these wounded people, who are released, or their communities? This is a prayer point, so that we can help the right people in the right place. We look forward to seeing how God will work this out. Psalm 27 says: “Unless the LORD builds the house, we will all toil in vain.”
And the world is silent
“Never again!” was shouted following the Holocaust. Where is the “NEVER AGAIN”? The world and many churches are silent again, looking the other way.
In the meantime, we hear all the stories first-hand and sympathize. Everyone in the communities on the border has relatives or knows people who are still in those dark tunnels or have been murdered. We see how the hostages are forced to endure that terrible humiliation when they are released, emaciated, sick, half-blind because of the darkness in which they have been imprisoned for 16 months. The last Sabbath, the country was very shocked when we saw the images of three men returning. But who were those starving people who were on stage? Not Gaza residents, but Israeli men. The world believes the lie. I could work 24/7 to correct or supplement the news and all the media. Just mentioning the word “Israel” often triggers heated discussions.
Israel is up against the wall. We all live in constant suspense. How is it going to end? Will they all be released this Sabbath or will Hamas not keep its promises? The army is stationed again on the border with Gaza. This week there was another warning of infiltration into Kibbutz Yad Mordechai. A friend who lives there told me that she had had such a terrible dream that night; that she was in the tunnel and could no longer breathe. Nightmares, traumas and almost everyone is receiving psychological help.
Our elders, who once experienced the Holocaust, understand all too well what these people are going through. We are also there for this group of elderly people and Holocaust survivors. They will all be visited again; our adoptive grandfathers and grandmothers will receive their cheque from you again, and later before Passover we will hand out food vouchers to hundreds of people.
In the meantime, we are starting up new projects, but there will be more about that next time: the beautiful pergola in front of the school in Sa’ad as an extra class for nature lessons, close to the green greenhouses. Dog therapy, horse and music therapy are in full swing everywhere.
Here is another excerpt from a nice thank you letter from the school (complete letter here):
With deep appreciation: Yechezkel Landau – Director, Idit Chelek & Reut Parnas – School counselors
On behalf of the community at Da’at Elementary School—our students, teachers, and parents—we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support over the years, and especially during this challenging time.
30 students participated in therapeutic horse riding, and another 30 students will start soon. 75 students will receive therapy with the help of dogs, and another 25 students will join them in the next round. These therapies change their lives.
At this time there is a lot of news from the south, but we live with this day and night. We think about it every moment.
Psalm 35 of David could have been written today. What wonderful truths! It starts with the “Dispute”; another translation says: “Lord call to account” or even simpler, “O Lord, if some argue with me, will You answer for me?”
For without cause have they hidden their net for me and without cause, they dug a pit for me. Lying witnesses take the floor. Let all be ashamed who are waiting for my destruction, but let all those who long for my acquittal rejoice and be glad and magnify you and say, “The LORD is concerned about the fate of His beloved servant Israel!” A free translation from Psalm 35
Many thanks for all the prayers and financial contributions! We are greatly encouraged by this. Shalom to all of you from a country at war and that for more than 500 days. Ria Doekes