Our community is honored to host the brave members of the civilian emergency teams from Kibbutz Nirim and Kibbutz Nir Oz. 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 civilian emergency teams 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? November 10 - November 16, 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 7 families: 22 individuals, including men, women, and children.
Thanks4Giving Mega-Mission
The delegation of the Nir Oz and Nirim civilian emergency teams and their families are coming to our community 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 Nir Oz on October 7th?
The civilian emergency team tried to resist the Hamas fighters but was unsuccessful. Around 1:30 PM, after about seven hours of chaos, the first security forces entered Nir Oz. By then, about a quarter of the kibbutz members had been murdered or abducted, and the attackers had already retreated to Gaza. Unlike other settlements, not a single shot was fired by the security forces in Nir Oz, which suffered the hardest blow on October 7. Today, most of the community is in temporary apartments in Kiryat Gat, with some in other locations. Returning to Nir Oz is currently impossible due to the extensive destruction and the area being a closed military zone.
What Happened in Nirim on October 7th?
At 6:30 AM, Daniel Meir, the Ravshatz of Kibbutz Nirim, heard the first Red Alert. Terrorists were roaming the area. After gearing up, Meir contacted Battalion 51 for support, only to learn that no forces were available. Without alarming the kibbutz residents, Meir and three others reached a breach in the fence, engaging terrorists in a fierce battle. Despite facing dozens of attackers, they fought bravely from the kibbutz's grain tower roof. By 11:26, a combat helicopter intervened, silencing the threat. Seven hours after the infiltration, IDF ground forces arrived to clear the kibbutz. In the attack, five residents were killed, many injured, and five were taken hostage, with three eventually returning home.
With great honor, our community will host the both communities civilian emergency teams 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 Nir Oz and Nirim 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
