The Mid-Island Jewish community is honored to host the brave members of the civilian emergency teams from Kibbutz Sufa and Kibbutz Nahal 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 emergency response 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? From November 10th until November 16th.
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 13 families: 47 individuals, including men, women, and children.
Thanks4Giving Mega-Mission
The delegation of the Sufa 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 Sufa on October 7th?
On the morning of October 7, the kibbutz members awoke to the continuous blare of red alert sirens and the sound of numerous rocket explosions. Minutes later, under the cover of this rocket fire, Hamas terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz through the entrance gate, and the sound of gunfire soon echoed throughout the community.
Members of the civilian emergency team engaged in direct combat with dozens of terrorists inside the kibbutz and defended the northern fence, which faces the Gaza Strip. Their courage prevented a massacre and stopped additional terrorists from breaching the fence.
The kibbutz residents were instructed to remain locked in their homes until the following day. During these tense hours, additional army forces arrived and worked to clear the kibbutz of terrorists.
The October 7th story of Sufa isdeeply 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.
What Happened in Nahal Oz on October 7th?
On October 7, the Black Saturday, around 200 terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Nahal Oz. That Saturday was supposed to be the kibbutz's annual celebration, so a large party had been planned. Yamam unit soldiers had come to the kibbutz on Friday as part of their regular duty, and, by chance, were invited to stay and celebrate with us. Eleven Yamam fighters and several members of our Civilian Emergency Team fought valiantly against the terrorists, and saved the kibbutz.
On that Black Saturday, 15 civilians were murdered in Nahal Oz, including Ilan Fiorentino, the Head of Security. In addition, eight civilians were kidnapped—and three of them are still being held hostage by Hamas.
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 Sufa and Nahal Oz is approximately $65,000.
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
