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Sulamot

Stronger United

Rebuilding Lives, Embracing Evacuated

Communities, and Paving the Path to

Return Home

Living in distant hotels far from their homes and grappling with grief, the evacuees of communities from the Region of Revival
(formerly Gaza Envelope) continue to face the stark reality of October 7th. In this interview, Rabbi Aron White spoke with community
leaders from the Region of Revival about their experiences during the challenging first months in temporary accommodations. They
also shed light on the transformative impact of the community-focused arm of the Atufim Project, led by founder Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon
and a joint initiative of Sulamot, La’Ofek, and the World Mizrachi movement, which offers employment assistance for evacuated
individuals and a glimmer of hope for the future of Israel’s southern communities.

MEET ITAI LEVI, CHAIRMAN OF NETIV HAASARA: How did you first encounter the Sulamot team?
Itai: They just suddenly showed up. No one called them. They asked for
nothing in return. These are true “Anshei Eretz Yisrael” who care about
the future of Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael. They came with good will and an
ability to make connections and make things happen. Sulamot gives me
pride; they are connected to their roots in the Land and help us find the
meaning we need to continue and return home to Netiv HaAsara. Sulamot
blended heartfelt compassion with the professionalism demanded by this
unfathomable situation and helped our community feel embraced.

How has Sulamot helped bereaved families in Netiv HaAsara?
Itai: Sulamot has played a pivotal role in directly channeling funds to
those bereaved families who lost loved ones on October 7th. The moshav
endured the profound loss of 20 individuals from 14 different families,
forever altering their lives and ours. Bureaucracy does not deal well with
emergencies, but Sulamot does.
Itai Levi, Chairman of Netiv HaAsara together with Young Israel of New Rochelle on an
“Adopt a Community” tour of Netiv HaAsara with Sulamot. Why do you need the Netiv HaAsara Emergency Response Team?
Doesn’t the IDF defend the moshav?
Itai, take us back to those initial days when your community
first arrived in the hotel? Itai: Netiv HaAsara’s Emergency Response Team is crucial to our survival.
Our moshav is situated on the border fence with Gaza; our homes,
Itai: Those initial days were the darkest our community has known. We kitchens, and kindergartens are situated in the direct line of fire. It’s
were all reeling with profound loss. Within the confines of a hotel, we knew imperative to recognize that both the IDF and the government are doing
we needed to deal with the terrible atrocities we all experienced, and at an excellent job, but they do not cover all security requirements – neither
the same time there was a strong sense of determination to persevere. physically nor financially. To fortify our security components, we rely on
support from private individuals and organizations. Our civilian response
team needs weapons safes, armored cars, security cameras, and the
As you plan for the future, what challenges does Netiv HaAsara funding needs to be raised from independent sources.
face?
What message would you like to convey about the future of
Itai: Netiv HaAsara faces a dual challenge. It’s a sobering reality that
governmental support alone falls short, covering perhaps 50% of our Netiv HaAsara?
needs at best. After this kind of catastrophe, it is imperative to find Itai: I promise you this. We will return to the pathways of Netiv HaAsara,
assistance from external sources, organizations, and compassionate we will return and be strong and give strength to those who need it. But
individuals. The reconstruction of Netiv HaAsara hinges on this crucial we need you, and we need Sulamot by our side. I have only gratitude for
support, without which the clock cannot be turned back to October 6th. them and for you.

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