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Be'eri in Hatzerim
In August 2024, most of the Kibbutz Be'eri community transitioned from emergency accommodations at the Dead Sea hotel to temporary housing in Kibbutz Hatzerim. The living conditions in Hatzerim are significantly more comfortable and spacious than those at the hotel, with considerable resources invested in creating a sense of home. However, it is clear that this is not our true home, but merely a phase in our journey back to Be'eri, toward the rehabilitation of our community and kibbutz.
In the coming year, we face new challenges, with the primary ones being:
- Maintaining a Unified Community: The community is currently divided: about 700 members reside in the temporary housing complex in Hatzerim, 200 members have returned to live and work in Kibbutz Be'eri, and another 200 members are scattered across the country. Managing a dispersed community requires double the resources and special preparation in terms of manpower, activity budgets, and more. Ensuring community cohesion and continuing to strengthen communal resilience are key goals for the coming year.The community is currently divided: about 700 members reside in the temporary housing complex in Hatzerim, 200 members have returned to live and work in Kibbutz Be'eri, and another 200 members are scattered across the country. Managing a dispersed community requires double the resources and special preparation in terms of manpower, activity budgets, and more. Ensuring community cohesion and continuing to strengthen communal resilience are key goals for the coming year.
- Economic Recovery in Kibbutz Be'eri’s Production Sectors: Efforts will focus on restoring economic stability by revitalizing various production sectors, including agriculture, small businesses, and employment reintegration. Additional priorities include rebuilding the resilience of work teams and supporting residents’ return to the workforce.
- Rebuilding the Kibbutz: In 2025, processes began for demolishing damaged structures from the events of October 7th, planning and constructing new neighborhoods, restoring public buildings, and rebuilding community spaces. This marks the start of a long-term recovery process across all aspects of kibbutz life—education, community, senior care, culture, and more.
Education
Education Centers & Equipment – In Kibbutz Hatzerim, we aim to create educational facilities to promote formal and informal education to the children of the Kibbutz.
We will build four educational centers for elementary school students (Zugonim) and three centers for middle and high school students (Merkazonim). These centers will host informal educational activities in the afternoons - including classes, meetings, ceremonies, and more. To ensure the educational centers and kindergartens function efficiently, we require furniture, electrical appliances, and recreational equipment – such as outdoor seating areas, playground amenities, and more.
Educational centers - mobile classes
The government is funding 6 out of 10 Public Buildings.
We will need to purchase the remaining 4.
1 mobile class = NIS 900,000
4 mobile classes = NIS 3,600,000
Educational centers - equipment list for 6 early childhood centers
The cost of purchasing the equipment for One early childhood center: 78,000 NIS
Educational centers - equipment list for 4 middle and high school educational centers
The cost of purchasing equipment for one middle or high school education center: 70,000 NIS
Household Equipment
Basic coverage
The state is providing funding for the basic construction of public buildings, personal homes and some furniture. However, the budget allocated to each family is limited and we will require supplementation. Items such as ovens, refrigerators, lighting, and more are needed.
The cost to purchase the basic needs for one household is approximately 17,000 NIS
Special circumstances
The state allocates a sum of 40,000 NIS per individual and 50,000 NIS per family to set up their home. While the support is greatly beneficial, there are 3 subgroups within the population that are not accounted for.
- Families whose homes were destroyed by fire or other means and are therefore, left with no household equipment. 76 families fall into this category and will need much more support than the government can provide.
- Families with 4 or more children are at a disadvantage. The state has granted an additional 10,000 NIS per child, up to 3 children. After which, there is no increase in coverage. There are 16 families with four or more children in Kibbutz Be’eri.
- Individuals without families (young or elderly) who are transitioning to larger homes and require furnishing assistance – Approximately 60 kibbutz members fall into this category.
Occupational empowerment
Resilience workshops for employment teams – We aim to provide employers and their team members with comprehensive professional support to facilitate a smooth transition back to work and successful communal rehabilitation.
Support will include team workshops, personalized coaching, and organizational effectiveness oversight.
Professional training and career guidance – October 7th changed the Kibbutz’s employment needs. Some employees were murdered and must now be replaced. Others, due to their circumstances or experiences, are no longer able to work. Finally, some have chosen not to return to right away and therefore require assistance as they find new employment.
There are also those who never worked within the Kibbutz and are now interested in joining. For this individuals, Be’eri would like to offer professional training.
Regardless of the specific circumstance, we wish to provide each kibbutz member with the support they need to expand their career.
Public spaces
While our ultimate goal is to return to Kibbutz Be’eri, we will be in Hatzerim for at least 2 years and are dedicated to creating an atmosphere of comfort, beauty and community engagement while there. We plan to develop public spaces within our living, education and recreational zones. This will include gardening, shaded areas, benches and more.
Needs and costs
Overall, the cost to support one kibbutz member during the temporary housing period is $4,245
This transition marks a significant step towards returning to Kibbutz Be’eri and we deeply value your unwavering support during these challenging times. Knowing that our friends and partners stand by us on this journey back to Kibbutz Be’eri fills us with gratitude and strength.
