I grew up in Chicago and when I was  21 moved to Israel to live on Kibbutz Saad near Israel’s border with Gaza. After serving in the army, I continued to work on Kibbutz as a farmer 

On Saad, I had the honor to be part of a community living in sight of the border with Gaza, but almost never focusing on hatred or despair. Saad is a bright spot of humanity in an area best known for death and destruction.

It’s a place that taught me about doing what you need to do, what you’re asked to do, what you can do - without looking for recognition or awards.

It’s the place where I improved my day school Hebrew and where I learned Israeli - as a soldier and as a wannabe “kibbutznik” 

At times I lived under attack, but even then, with a sense of security.

Kibbutz Saad is still the place I still consider home in Israel

But, my wife and I decided to raise our family in Jerusalem far from the border with Gaza. 

Kibbutz Saad and other communities like it were a perfect expression of the ability to live under a threat and even in conflict and still work towards positive goals.

Not anymore – and I don’t know what to do. 

These communities were not safe, they were not adequately protected. But, they still protected us

Life near Gaza is FUCKED

I want to recognize and help the communities near Gaza who have experienced an unimaginable horror and kept the rest of Israel safe.

Can we help civillians next to Gaza overcome hatred, despair and destruction and instead pursue prosperity? 

Their humility may prevent them from seeking assistance, but we can reach out proactively.

• We who live in safety in Israel, thanks to their sacrifice

• We who support israel from abroad and want to ensure a better future for these communities

• We who criticize Israel, but want to support a safe, peaceful and prosperous future for all people near Gaza

This is an invitation to think about these questions as well. To invite friends, family and colleagues to join the conversation as well.

Please reach out if you’d like to join me on this journey.

Praying for better days ahead

Love,

Noam

וְשָׁפַט֙ בֵּ֣ין הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וְהוֹכִ֖יחַ לְעַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְכִתְּת֨וּ חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם לְאִתִּ֗ים וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת לֹא־יִשָּׂ֨א ג֤וֹי אֶל־גּוֹי֙ חֶ֔רֶב וְלֹֽא־יִלְמְד֥וּ ע֖וֹד מִלְחָמָֽה׃ {פ}

Thus [God] will judge among the nations

And arbitrate for the many peoples,

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares

And their spears into pruning hooks:

Nation shall not take up

Sword against nation;

They shall never again know war.