Throughout Israel, there is not a municipality or major road that does not have posters of remaining hostages, yellow flags and chairs, signs, and Israeli flags. While the world is politicizing and dehumanizing Israel, the people of Israel are fighting a veritable war on several fronts. They keep hostages on top of mind and in their hearts, and are dealing with many internal complexities. 

We have just completed an intense week of Coast to Coast to Partnership meetings in Etzbah Hagalil. CEOs, volunteers, and a few observers engaged with Israeli community leadership and visited throughout the region. This partnership is based on building relationships and making connections in person. It ensures that the efforts of our six Canadian communities support the entire region, composed of five municipalities from Metullah to Yesud Hamala. 

As residents return home, families and leaders face a complex and challenging situation. Many are waiting for the school year to end to make their decision. Others are not sure they want to move back, having seen a quality of education and availability of health care elsewhere that surpasses what they currently can access.

I will share many stories and explore avenues to create “living bridges” (gesher chai)—the opportunities that our Canadian partnership is renowned for. As we enter Shabbat here in Israel, here are a few personal anecdotes and experiences from this week. 

In Metullah, Mayor David Azulai toured us through the town, the smell of burnt houses and smoke still permeating. The destruction included over 200 houses, roads needing repair, a ruined new school, and damage to the Canada Centre (hockey arena). David has not left Metullah since October 7. 

His commitment to saving his municipality and assisting his evacuated citizens is incredible. While avoiding rockets, missiles, and drones, he has been addressing the little things. For five months, he’s secretly fed a resident’s fish nightly, retrieved items from safes, and cooked Friday dinners for 50-60 first responders, often working overnight to avoid detection. He is an inspiration. 

Despite the utter destruction of his house, an 84-year-old spritely man named Sammy, a concert-level pianist, played for us on his baby grand piano. We walked through the ruins of what was a residence that contained 400 instruments that formed his museum. Notwithstanding the devastation of his home and instrument museum, Sammy’s piano remains, and he continues with a smile.

We met with teenagers on Kibburz Kfar Blum, determined to ensure that their region will recover and that they are part of the further future development. This, although having lived through a year and a half of aerial attacks, the noise and fear have become a new normal for them. Disrupted school years and the scattering of friends across the country because of evacuations or families fleeing Hezbollah infiltration caused them to forget some classmates and budding friends. 

I am excited to tell you more about “project regeneration”, a pan-Canadian commitment of $20 million to redevelop our region, with a focus on the economic engine of Tel Hai College, soon to be a university. Jewish Federations of Canada - United Israel Appeal (JFC-UIA) held a Canada reception to celebrate this announcement. The reception acknowledged local leaders’ selfless contributions during challenging times, highlighting Canada’s unwavering commitment to the people of Israel. I delivered remarks on behalf of the Coast to Coast leadership and presented the first lady of Israel, Michal Herzog, with a gift of art from Alberta. 

We once again visited the world class Clore Centre for Performing Arts, whose musicians we welcomed to Edmonton a short time ago. You may have seen a video of the Clore dancers sent to the Aviv Dancers for Festival Hatzafon. When I brought them a card from our dancers (the day after the show) their eyes lit up, and we instantly discussed future visits and collaborations. 

Never have I felt a more aligned Jewish peoplehood moment, with Israelis increasingly concerned about the diaspora, and a recognition that we are in this together and need to assist one another. Our partnership was aptly described as “heart to heart”; professionals on the ground who received our immediate support, thanking all of us for ensuring they were not alone.

While there were many tearful moments, there was a spirit of resolve and strength to navigate through this period of crisis, and to “build back better”.

Am Yisrael Chai and Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey