Our community is honored to host the brave members of the emergency response team from Kibbutz Mefalsim, civilians who will stand as a testament to their courage on October 7th when they defended their homes and blocked Hamas's infiltration deeper into Israel.
The brave members of the emergency response team who fought on October 7th will be coming with their families—their partners and children, the very people they embraced before heading out to fight and left in the safe room.
When? Week of November 11th, 2024
What? A week where our community will host them in our homes, connect with them, listen to their stories, and give them the honor they truly deserve for their incredible bravery and sacrifice. They will be staying with families in our community and participating in various community events.
Why? Given the ongoing war in Israel, the brave civilians hardly received proper acknowledgment for their unending bravery. Their courage is almost forgotten. We believe it is never too late to rewrite a story… and that is exactly what Thanks4Giving is all about.
How many? A total of 8 families: 32 individuals, including men, women, and children.
Thanks4Giving Mega-Mission
The delegation of the Mefalsim civilian emergency team and their families are coming to us as part of Project 24’s mega-mission initiative: Thanks4Giving. This initiative honors all the brave civilian emergency teams that fought on that horrific October 7th day. Our community is part of 28 others that are coming together to host these brave heroes and their families, and honor them in an organized week of intimate community events, and large-scale gala ceremonies that will honor these fighters as they deserve to be honored.
Imagine this: come early November, the families of Israeli heroes will be walking the streets of our community and many others in this area.
Join us now in raising the funds to bring them here.
This is an event of connecting hearts, mutual healing, unmediated connections, and performing a mitzvah that resonates around the world.
What Happened in Mefalsim on October 7th?
Mefalsim's civilian emergency team faced 40 terrorists at 3 different locations and times. Terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz, and even into one of the houses. Battles were fought within the kibbutz, including RPG fire at some houses and against civilian emergency team members. There was an attempt to take hostage 12 Thai workers, which was thwarted through cooperation between the civilian emergency team and special unit soldiers.
The results in Mefalsim are incomprehensible compared to the potential of destruction and loss. While we are in pain for our neighbors, we have great appreciation and deep gratitude for our achievement.
What happened in Mefalsim? Heroism, commitment, daring, real-life risk, independent actions of civilian emergency team members without clear and continuous orders, weapons in the houses, special forces fighting outside Mefalsim and preventing further terrorist infiltration, and luck. The army took control of the kibbutz only on Saturday night.
The October 7th story of Mefalsim is deeply intertwined. With great honor, our community will host the community civilian emergency team and their respective families, and join them on this path of healing, connection and togetherness.
How You Can Help: Fundraising for Success
To make this mega-mission a success, we need your support. Help us reach our financial goals for this trip.
Funding Needs:
The cost of bringing Mefalsim is approximately $50,000.
Your contributions will help cover the following expenses:
- Flights and Transportation. Ensuring safe and comfortable travel for the group.
- Planning and Coordination. Covering the costs associated with organizing and executing the week-long events and activities.
- Community Events and Activities. Funding for community Shabbat dinners, local experiences, and other planned events.
By working together, we can honor and support the brave members of the kibbutzim who have sacrificed so much. Your generosity will help create a meaningful and impactful experience for them and their families.
Thanks4Giving Mega Mission is brought to you by Project 24: Project 24 was launched a few days following October 7th. We create taylor-made projects that connect Israeli and North American Jews
www.project24israel.org
Learn more about T4G
