Shuva Hachim

Our next stop was Shuva Hachim which is 4 minutes from Tkuma is another example of the volunteering spirit we so in Sderot Chabad house.  

From Sa'ad to Netivot. At the entrance to the settlement, there was a casualty treatment point because it was possible to land helicopters there and transfer severe cases to hospitals. The Shuva brothers from the settlement helped as much as they could and set up a feeding station for soldiers. Later, the entrance to the settlement became a soldier feeding point, an initiative by the three Trabelsi brothers. Most of the time, Dror, the righteous, is present and manages the place. He doesn't like to talk about it, but he is a party person. However, he also felt uncomfortable celebrating on holidays and Sabbaths, so he didn't go to Nova. He lost 15 friends there.

Shuva Hachim is a sample of  the collective effort of volunteers post-October 7th demonstrated the resilience and solidarity of Israeli society. Their contributions were vital in providing immediate relief, supporting recovery efforts, and fostering a sense of community during a challenging time. The volunteer forces were seen in the following areas:

Emergency Response and Medical Aid

1. Casualty Treatment Points: As seen in the example of Shuva, many settlements and towns set up casualty treatment points. Volunteers, often local residents, assisted in providing first aid, coordinating helicopter evacuations, and transferring severe cases to hospitals.

2. Magen David Adom (MDA): Israel's national emergency medical service saw a surge in volunteer paramedics and first responders who worked around the clock to treat the wounded and support rescue operations.

3. Hospitals and Clinics: Medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and mental health workers, volunteered their time in hospitals and clinics to handle the increased number of casualties and to provide psychological support to those affected by the war.

Support for Soldiers

1. Feeding Stations: Like the initiative by the Trabelsi brothers at the entrance to Shuva, many communities set up feeding stations for soldiers. Volunteers prepared and distributed meals, ensuring that those on the front lines and in affected areas received necessary sustenance.

2. Supply Drives: Volunteers organized and participated in drives to collect and distribute essential supplies such as food, water, hygiene products, and clothing to soldiers and affected civilians. I my self was driving thousands of kilometers to provide soldiers  any thing they need.

Community Support

1. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction: Volunteers helped with rebuilding homes and infrastructure damaged during the conflict. This included clearing debris, repairing buildings, and providing technical assistance.

2. Psychological and Social Support: Social workers, psychologists, and other professionals offered their services to help individuals and families cope with the trauma of war. Support groups and counseling sessions were organized to address mental health needs.

3. Childcare and Education: With schools disrupted, volunteers organized educational and recreational activities for children. This helped maintain a sense of normalcy and provided relief for parents dealing with the aftermath of the conflict.

Logistics and Coordination

1. Volunteer Organizations: Several NGOs and community groups coordinated volunteer efforts. They matched volunteers with needs, organized training sessions, and ensured efficient distribution of resources.

2. Online Platforms: Digital platforms and social media played a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers, sharing information about needs, and organizing community efforts.

As mentioned, the Shuva brothers helped set up a feeding station for thousands of soldiers and provided various forms of assistance like hygienic medicine and any request a soldier has.

From Shuva we drove back to road the bloody road 232 passing different kibutzs , each had a story some very tragic and some where saved in the cost of the life of the  defenders.

We can not visit the kibbutzs as its members are not comfortable with visitors watching their tragedy. So, we drove by and told briefly the story of each kibbutz.

Our next visit is a drive by the Kibbutzim next to road 232.