What’s happening
After the dreadful October 7 massacre, that drove families from Kibbutz Re’im to seek refuge, the city of Tel Aviv, along with Israeli business leaders, is providing crucial support, housing, and a cornucopia of services to help these evacuees rebuild their lives in the bustling metropolis.
Why it matters
The transition from a serene kibbutz life to urban dwelling is strenuous, not just physically but emotionally, especially following such tragic events. Tel Aviv’s extensive support system, including psychological services and free education, is not just healing for the displaced but also for a country keen on demonstrating solidarity amidst crisis.
By the numbers
Over 400 members from Kibbutz Re’im, including Shani Medina’s family, have been rehomed in Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighborhood. Through the cooperation of the Israel Business Forum, families are given apartments, free or discounted access to city services, and the kids have joined a nearby nature school, fostering some semblance of their previous lives.
On the ground
Families juggle between dual apartments for living and sleeping necessities while also coping with the trauma of past events. The terrors faced by individuals like Reut Karp, who lost her former husband to the violence that fateful day, signify the enduring psychological toll and underscore the urgent need for ongoing support.
Tel Aviv’s commitment
The city Mayor, Ron Huldai, promises that Kibbutz members are not just guests but now residents with full citizen rights and support. Adjustments include initiating a transition to city life such as city-based educational inputs for the children and the integration into the digital infrastructure of Tel Aviv’s social fabric through apps and communal activities.
Focus on unity and normalcy
Despite trying to push aside mental strife to focus on immediate logistical worries about homes and jobs, there’s a consensus that keeping the kibbutz community together is providential. The settled evacuees in the network of a newly shared urban space gravitate towards sticking together, fostering a crucial sense of community continuity, especially for the children.
The bigger picture
This initiative is part of a larger collective midnight sheltering mission. Tel Aviv-Yafo has opened its arms to some 20,000 evacuees from conflicts in areas like Sderot and Ashkelon, reflecting a macrocosm of micro-level strategies that knit safety nets around those displaced by tragedy – a tangible manifestation of Israel’s social resilience.
The road ahead
The resolve and elasticity of locals like Shani Medina, heartened by national support, shed light on Israel’s determination to not just endure but emerge stronger, even in the aftermath of heartbreaking occurrences. The support has been national, with citizens across the country stepping in, embracing the affected, according to Medina, indicating a staunch national fabric woven of compassionate threads.
This story was first published on jpost.com.