This colorful Esther Scroll, illustrated by the children of Kibbutz Beit HaShita, is not only stunning in its beauty but also tells an extraordinary story about a man whose life’s passion was the fusion of education and the renewal of Hebrew culture. And then there’s the Ben-Gurion connection…
What Happened to the Thorny Lovers’ Garden of Kibbutz Nir Oz?
A 50-year-old news article illuminates the deep bond between Oded and Yocheved Lifshitz from Nir Oz, who nurtured not only their love but also a unique and remarkable garden in their kibbutz. Both were abducted from their home on October 7, and now Yocheved waits for her beloved Oded’s return.
Hannah Kritzman: The Storyteller of Kibbutz Be’eri
At age 15, Hannah Kritzman ran away from home to Kibbutz Be’eri, where she became a beloved preschool teacher and founded the local children’s library. 73 years later, on October 7, after spending hours hiding with her caregiver in her safe room, Hannah was shot by a Hamas terrorist, just as the two were being rescued. The memoir she completed shortly before her death offers us a glimpse of what a wonderful woman she was.
Tari Kipnis: A Kibutznik and an Artist, to the Very End
Tari Kipnis was born near the sea and sailed around the world – only to settle in Kibbutz Be’eri with his beloved Lilach. He lived and breathed art and never stopped looking for ways to create it. When he was stricken with a chronic neurological disease, he began to paint. On October 7, he was murdered with his wife and his caretaker Paul – but he left behind breathtaking paintings, including those which tell the story of the Gaza border region.
Children of Heroes: The Story of Ma’ale HaHamisha
Is it a good idea to raise children in a place constantly under enemy fire? How much joy can there be for a ten-month-old baby whose father has died for a cause? This is a story of childhood spent in Kibbutz Ma’ale HaHamisha – a story of love, laughter and dedication, alongside constant threat and loss
Nir Oz Will Blossom Again: The Story of a Legendary Kibbutz Gardener
In the early days, members of Kibbutz Nir Oz suffered from terrible sandstorms that made it difficult to move, see and even eat. Ran Pauker, the kibbutz’s legendary landscaper, was called to solve the problem, and along the way, Nir Oz became a green, ecological gem. When asked about the future of the kibbutz that suffered a fatal blow on October 7 – he says the vegetation will be restored within a year, as for the community: “We’ll have to wait and see”
Refugees in Their Own Land: The Children of Yad Mordechai Leave Their Homes
After spending long hours hiding in their safe rooms, with the local civilian security team and members of the Border Guard bravely fighting armed terrorists seeking to break into the kibbutz, the residents of Yad Mordechai were evacuated from their homes until further notice. Many might describe this as a “once in a lifetime” experience – but for some kibbutz veterans, this was not the first time they left their home behind without knowing when, or if, they would ever return.
Forced to Leave His Home in Nir Am as a 3-Year-Old, and Again at Age 78
In 1948, 3-year-old Yigal Cohen was smuggled out of Kibbutz Nir Am at the outbreak of the War of Independence. He later returned to the kibbutz, grew up, and started a family. 75 years later, on October 7, the kibbutz was attacked again. Residents evacuated, among them 78-year-old Yigal, who was doing this for the second time in his life…
To the Last Furrow: The Blood, Sweat and Tears of Nahal Oz
The morning of October 7, 2023, was supposed to be a day of celebration – marking 70 years of Kibbutz Nahal Oz. But with chilling similarity to another event that took place just three years after Nahal Oz was founded, this day ended entirely differently – in unimaginable tragedy. What does it mean when your home is built on a hostile border?
Women on the Homefront in 1973: How the Kibbutzim Coped With War
When the Yom Kippur War broke out, the women of Kibbutz Beit Alfa mobilized to protect the delicate fabric of community life, something that happened across Israel. They were determined and resourceful, despite the uncertainty and anxiety: “All we thought about was how we’d survive the next day.”
