Support Our Kibbutzim

10/25/23 Update: Given the outpouring of support for Kibbutz Nir David as it leads the effort in absorbing Israelis displaced due to the violence on the country's borders, we've decided to continue accepting donations beyond our initial goal. The next $20,000 in contributions will be used to upgrade the infrastructure and communication system of the bomb/safety shelters inside the kibbutz.

(click "read more" below for details on allocation of funds)

The kibbutz management and its residents are committed to continue providing refuge for their fellow Israelis until the situation in the southern and northern borders stabilizes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

On behalf of all those living in kibbutz Nir David: thank you to ALL our donors for your financial AND symbolic support. The kibbutz is overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness.

-Top Donors-

+$10,000

Will Rademaker

$4,500

Michael Skolnick

$2,500

Nir Giist

$1,250

Elizabeth & Arthur Porosoff

$1,000

Gabriella & Jacob Abrams

Harry Eisenbaum

Richard Gesoff

Jonathan Gewirtz & Rocio Yaffar

Bynum Hunter

Yogesh Kashte & Malika Danner

Rena & Zevy Mashav

Martha Pelaez & Douglas Robertson

Robert Skolnick

Anonymous

$750

Raffi Feldman

$500

Samantha Abeysekera

Ajool Adi & family

Michael Atia

Rosy Coe

Petra & Moshe Etzioni

Peter Feig

Lawrence Grobman

Bruce Lobree

Christina & Eric Matthew

Harvey & Judy Reich

Phil Reich

Juliet & Nick Siegfried

Mike & Jessica Silver

Anonymous x2

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Original Fundraiser posted October 13th, 2023:

Please support Kibbutz Nir David host Israelis displaced from their homes.

On October 7th, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the southern kibbutzim, Nir David, a kibbutz tucked between the border of the West Bank and the Jordan River, opened its gates to the survivors of the south. Within 24 hours of Hamas' attack, kibbutz Nir David--the pioneer community of the kibbutzim of the Bet Shean Valley and home to 800 people--took in 50 families, and within less than a week that grew to about 450 people from eleven kibbutzim, moshavim, and other towns from the south and the north as Hezbollah's attacks there led to evacuations. The number of incoming guests grows daily.

Besides providing basic needs for the grief-stricken families who've found refuge at Nir David, the kibbutz members (minus those young adults who were drafted) are dedicating themselves to ensure their guests can survive and begin to heal from their intense trauma: the teenagers are organizing activities for the young guests to lift their spirits, while the adults work to provide food, shelter, mental health support, and first aid to the incomers.

Kibbutz Nir David has transformed itself into a philanthropic movement, dedicating 100% of its tourism resources to the welfare of these displaced families. In just the first week, they spent approximately USD $37,000 hosting the displaced families -- this does not include the thousands they forgo in daily tourism revenue. Nir David will continue to care for and protect their fellow Israelis, for as long as it takes, whether or not they get our support. But we WILL support them.

The communities hardest hit by this tragedy -- those families whose children, parents, grandparents, and friends were murdered or taken from them -- are the communities which Kibbutz Nir David has taken in. Being hosted by Nir David are families from:

Your donation will go directly toward goods & services being provided to the displaced Israelis, including:

--> food

--> laundry services

--> all incidental needs

--> psychological support for children through guided activities

--> basic first aid

The entire kibbutz thanks you for your generosity in supporting them and all of Israel at this critical hour in the Jewish People's history.

"THEY BROKE OUR HEARTS BUT NOT OUR SOULS!"

-the kibbutznikim

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A short tour of kibbutz Nir David hosting the displaced families -- this was filmed five days after the terrorist attacks. The music you hear is being played live by the kibbutz band.

Entertainment for the children. These activities are intended to help the visiting families start to heal from their trauma, keeping them busy, entertained, and feeling alive.

They've arranged additional areas for preparing and serving food to accommodate the sudden growth -- by 50% -- of their community. These are guests:

Video - everyone in this video of the dining room is a guest:

The above are guests from kibbutzim in the south, kibbutzim where dining rooms turned into morgues this past week:

This is a video of kibbutz Nir David on shabbat, one week after the attacks:

I'll end with an inspiring video of Kibbutz Nir David, one week after the attacks -- here you see them hanging the Israeli flag from their water tower:

עם ישראל חי

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As per GoFundMe's transparency requirements, here are some key details regarding this fundraiser:

1. My relationship to Kibbutz Nir David: Nir David is the birthplace of my husband, Iftah. We visit annually with our children and are a part of the community.

2. How the funds raised will be spent: Your donation will directly be used to pay for first aid equipment, all meals, laundry services, incidental needs, and psychological support for children through guided activities -- for only those persons who have arrived at the kibbutz due to having been displaced from their homes in communities directly affected by the attacks (ie the permanent kibbutzim members are not the recipients of these funds).

3. Plan for how funds will be delivered: A portion of the funds will be used to buy medical kits which will be shipped from Miami to Israel in the next few days. The remaining GoFundMe balance will be bank wired directly to Kibbutz Nir David A.C.S. LTD. I personally will be overseeing the management of the funds and will be responsible for wiring the funds and purchasing supplies.