What’s new:
Roxana Salimson, the cherished kindergarten teacher of Kibbutz Nir Oz, has lately made a heartening return to her role in educating the community’s youngest members, subsequent to the severe disruptions caused by the October 7 assaults by Hamas.
Why it matters:
Roxana’s return symbolizes a vital step towards normalcy for a community uprooted — lifting spirits and providing comfort, especially for the generations she has seen grow. However, her joy mingles with the sorrow for those children who are unable to attend, including Kfir Bibas, whose whereabouts, as well as the fate of some other children, remain uncertain post-attacks.
By the numbers:
In the newly reestablished kindergarten, which now houses only six children, Salimson provides consistency from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., assuaging parent concerns and attempting to rekindle the learning environment amidst recovery.
The big picture:
Roxana, among many others, has been relocated to the southern city of Kiryat Gat from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Despite the confirmed safety of her and her husband in their new apartment, challenges reflect an ongoing adaptation far from their previous way of life at the kibbutz. But even in change, foundations of community solidarity withstand as she carries on her pivotal role in anchoring the younger generation.
Between the lines:
While grappling with the tangible loss and the anxiety surrounding the missing community members, Roxana’s story illustrates the larger ongoing conflict at the Israel-Gaza border. Here with the rejuvenation of educational routines, a return to ordinary life beams through, enveloped in the resilient hope of both teacher and students alike.
The response:
The kibbutz residents’ relocation and their new realities in Kiryat Gat stir complex reactions. Several efforts to appease the displaced include welfare measures and housing provisions, yet long-term anticipations coupled with latent trauma led to mixed emotions about the future.
Bottom line:
Salimson’s embodiment of strength and continuity underscores the enduring spirit of Kibbutz Nir Oz amidst adversity. As the community members band together in their temporary home, they cherish the semblance of normalcy while joined in anticipation and hope for returning to their permanent peace.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.