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Returning to Alumim
Ernest Elias
Ernest Elias
As a result of the massacre of Oct 7th 2023 (which, for Israelis, was an event equivalent to 6 times 9/11 in New York) all the communities within 7km of the Gaza Border were immediately evacuated to various locations around Israel. Apart from the ongoing war in Gaza, these communities all faced enormous challenges living in temporary accommodation while trying to manage their childrens’ education, their jobs and their day to day lives. JNF-USA has been at the forefront, providing for the needs of evacuees, preparing and rebuilding for evacuees to return home.
From the outset there has been an urgency for them to return. Not to do so would leave the areas abandoned with terrible demographic and economic consequences and would be a “win” for Hamas.
Now more than 11 months later, Israeli Government economic support for the evacuees has ended. Although the Government is also providing funds for large infrastructural improvements in the area (Tekuma region), this does not address the pressing needs of individual families seeking to return to their lives on the kibbutz..
Kibbutz Alumim, less than 3 miles from Gaza, had a population of 500 (175 age under 18) on Oct 6th. It hosted one of the largest dairy farms in Israel and significant other agricultural production. The whole kibbutz was evacuated to two hotels in Netanya immediately after October 7th. Although the terrorists from Gaza destroyed a large part of the agricultural facilities, the houses were basically untouched so that substantial home reconstruction has not been necessary unlike other communities nearby such as Be’eri and Nir Oz.
Returning to Alumim asked the members of the kibbutz what was most important to them to enable them to go back with their families. Based on what they told us we developed a plan to help them return as quickly as possible. You can see the original plan by clicking this link: ecelias.com/Alumim_4.15.24_v11.pdf
Many of the people we have spoken to have asked: “Why Alumim, why now?” Please click this link to view our answers to these questions: ecelias.com/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf
As of the end of August 2024, all but 19 families have returned to the kibbutz. Our objective was to help families Returning to Alumim to do so confidently, successfully and safely. Their Return strengthens the Land of Israel and the People of Israel and enables them to rebuild their lives with peace of mind in their own homes.
Funds we have raised so far have been used (in accordance with members' priorities) to better equip the Kitot Konenut (Home Command), rebuild the guardhouse at the entrance to the kibbutz, replace existing front doors with steel ones and instal triplex laminated safety windows on all the houses that needed them, equip all houses with fire extinguishers and proper first aid kits and instal modern filtration units in each house's safe room. Based on this Phases 1 and 2 of the original plan have been completed. Click this link to see a video of one resident's reponse: ecelias.com/Thank%20you%20video%20Stav%20Yitzchak.mp4
We are now ready to move to the next stage (Phases 3 and 4) of making Alumim safe. The members of the kibbutz have decided that Phase 4, the building of a secure community youth center, is their next priority and so we have advanced that in front of Phase 3. The community youth center will be a place where all the children can play and learn safely during their after school hours in a environment where their parents know that they will not be exposed to the dangers of rockets.
Your support has and will continue to make an enormous difference to these families and will contribute to maintaining a strong Israel. JNF has graciously agreed to partner with us by providing a $1 for $1 matching grant for everything we raise. Every $ raised is being sent to Alumim. To date, with JNF's help, a total of $479,000 has been sent to the kibbutz to fund Phases 1 and 2. Please click on this link to read a letter from the kibbutz members expressing their appreciation for your efforts so far: ecelias.com/Aug%2026th%202024%20-%20update%20from%20Alumim.pdf
The Oct 7th attack decimated many communities, but they will never destroy our spirit. We stand together, as one Jewish community, ready to help all our family in Israel in this difficult time. Am Yisrael Chai.
JNF-USA, a partner of Kibbutz Alumim is matching donations (up to a total of $500K) and sending funds from this campaign directly to the Kibbutz. JNF-USA is a top-rated 501c3 and receives the highest ratings from Charity Navigator.
JNF-USA Tax ID: 13-1659627
Checks:
JNF-USA
78 Randall Ave, Rockville Centre NY 11570
Attn: Sharona Whisler
Note: Kibbutz Alumim
Cash U.S. Wire Transfer Instructions:
Flagstar Bank, NA (formerly Signature Bank, whose name still may appear when searching by ABA#)
Jewish National Fund
A/C # 1501151331
ABA # 026013576
Branch: 185 Broadway 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11211
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
Dorothy Gines, Financial Services, Director
78 RANDALL AVE. ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570 P: 516-678-6800 X169
Attn: Sharona Whisler
Stock Transfer:
Morgan Stanley LLC
DTC # 0015
For the Benefit of: Jewish National Fund
Account # 081-013100
Bank Address:
855 Franklin Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Reference: Please be sure to reference donor's name
& attn: Sharona Whisler
For info: contact Sharona Whisler at swhisler@jnf.org
From the outset there has been an urgency for them to return. Not to do so would leave the areas abandoned with terrible demographic and economic consequences and would be a “win” for Hamas.
Now more than 11 months later, Israeli Government economic support for the evacuees has ended. Although the Government is also providing funds for large infrastructural improvements in the area (Tekuma region), this does not address the pressing needs of individual families seeking to return to their lives on the kibbutz..
Kibbutz Alumim, less than 3 miles from Gaza, had a population of 500 (175 age under 18) on Oct 6th. It hosted one of the largest dairy farms in Israel and significant other agricultural production. The whole kibbutz was evacuated to two hotels in Netanya immediately after October 7th. Although the terrorists from Gaza destroyed a large part of the agricultural facilities, the houses were basically untouched so that substantial home reconstruction has not been necessary unlike other communities nearby such as Be’eri and Nir Oz.
Returning to Alumim asked the members of the kibbutz what was most important to them to enable them to go back with their families. Based on what they told us we developed a plan to help them return as quickly as possible. You can see the original plan by clicking this link: ecelias.com/Alumim_4.15.24_v11.pdf
Many of the people we have spoken to have asked: “Why Alumim, why now?” Please click this link to view our answers to these questions: ecelias.com/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf
As of the end of August 2024, all but 19 families have returned to the kibbutz. Our objective was to help families Returning to Alumim to do so confidently, successfully and safely. Their Return strengthens the Land of Israel and the People of Israel and enables them to rebuild their lives with peace of mind in their own homes.
Funds we have raised so far have been used (in accordance with members' priorities) to better equip the Kitot Konenut (Home Command), rebuild the guardhouse at the entrance to the kibbutz, replace existing front doors with steel ones and instal triplex laminated safety windows on all the houses that needed them, equip all houses with fire extinguishers and proper first aid kits and instal modern filtration units in each house's safe room. Based on this Phases 1 and 2 of the original plan have been completed. Click this link to see a video of one resident's reponse: ecelias.com/Thank%20you%20video%20Stav%20Yitzchak.mp4
We are now ready to move to the next stage (Phases 3 and 4) of making Alumim safe. The members of the kibbutz have decided that Phase 4, the building of a secure community youth center, is their next priority and so we have advanced that in front of Phase 3. The community youth center will be a place where all the children can play and learn safely during their after school hours in a environment where their parents know that they will not be exposed to the dangers of rockets.
Your support has and will continue to make an enormous difference to these families and will contribute to maintaining a strong Israel. JNF has graciously agreed to partner with us by providing a $1 for $1 matching grant for everything we raise. Every $ raised is being sent to Alumim. To date, with JNF's help, a total of $479,000 has been sent to the kibbutz to fund Phases 1 and 2. Please click on this link to read a letter from the kibbutz members expressing their appreciation for your efforts so far: ecelias.com/Aug%2026th%202024%20-%20update%20from%20Alumim.pdf
The Oct 7th attack decimated many communities, but they will never destroy our spirit. We stand together, as one Jewish community, ready to help all our family in Israel in this difficult time. Am Yisrael Chai.
JNF-USA, a partner of Kibbutz Alumim is matching donations (up to a total of $500K) and sending funds from this campaign directly to the Kibbutz. JNF-USA is a top-rated 501c3 and receives the highest ratings from Charity Navigator.
JNF-USA Tax ID: 13-1659627
Checks:
JNF-USA
78 Randall Ave, Rockville Centre NY 11570
Attn: Sharona Whisler
Note: Kibbutz Alumim
Cash U.S. Wire Transfer Instructions:
Flagstar Bank, NA (formerly Signature Bank, whose name still may appear when searching by ABA#)
Jewish National Fund
A/C # 1501151331
ABA # 026013576
Branch: 185 Broadway 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11211
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
Dorothy Gines, Financial Services, Director
78 RANDALL AVE. ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570 P: 516-678-6800 X169
Attn: Sharona Whisler
Stock Transfer:
Morgan Stanley LLC
DTC # 0015
For the Benefit of: Jewish National Fund
Account # 081-013100
Bank Address:
855 Franklin Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Reference: Please be sure to reference donor's name
& attn: Sharona Whisler
For info: contact Sharona Whisler at swhisler@jnf.org
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