Ahead of the Jewish New Year, MENIFA’s leadership team took part in a meaningful tour of the communities surrounding Gaza — a day that connected pain and remembrance with courage, resilience, growth, and hope.
We began at the Burned Vehicles Memorial in Tekuma, a deeply moving reminder of the lives and stories that were cut short on the morning of October 7.
Later, we met Rafi Shimoni, father of the late Ben Shimoni. Ben managed to escape the massacre at the Nova Festival, but chose to return to the danger zone again and again in order to rescue others. After completing three rescue missions, he was killed by terrorists. In recognition of his extraordinary courage, he was awarded the President’s Medal for Civilian Heroism.
From there, we continued to Kibbutz Kerem Shalom for an inspiring meeting with Amichai Shindler. On October 7, Amichai used his own body to protect his family and was critically injured. After a long rehabilitation process, he chose to return with his family to Kerem Shalom — to their home and community — and to keep moving forward.
We ended the day by raising a glass together with Amichai — a meaningful and hopeful moment ahead of the New Year. His story reminded us of the strength to grow through crisis, hold on to faith, and choose hope.
And this is also our choice at MENIFA: to keep growing, taking action, building, and creating more good in the world.
Wishing everyone a year of growth, resilience, unity, hope, and good news
