Earlier this year, Telfed joined the Jewish Agency’s C2G (Communities2Gether) initiative pairing diaspora communities with moshavim and kibbutzim in the Western Negev (Gaza envelope). The South African community was matched with Nir Am, and while we are based in Israel, a natural partnership exists between Telfed, the Jewish Agency and South African Zionist organsiations (including JNF-SA, SAZF and ORT SA). The focus on this initiative is on people to people – and a dedicated Telfed committee has been established to work on projects with the community of Nir Am.
While Nir Am was matched with South African Jewry, for us at Telfed, it was important to expand our efforts to two communities in the Western Negev with a strong Southern African connection. Telfed was involved in the founding of Sde Nitzan (in the 1970s) and Talmei Yosef, and in the latter’s relocation to the Western Negev from the Sinai in 1982.
For the past few months, we have been in regular contact with the leadership teams of Nir Am, Sde Nitzan and Talmei Yosef. As we’ve gotten to know the communities and understand their needs, we are better positioned to support them. For the team involved, it was important to meet the people on the ground.
At the end of July, Telfed leadership, staff and volunteers, visited the three communities in the Western Negev. This visit was a significant step in forging strong partnerships aimed at supporting their renewal and recovery, following the devastating attacks on October 7th.
Telfed is proud to collaborate with three communities whose residents’ faced evacuation and are now in the process of returning home. This visit provided invaluable insights into their immediate and long-term needs, allowing us to tailor our support efforts effectively. Australian Oleh, Ari Briggs, has been actively involved in supporting soldiers and communities since October 7th. He accompanied the Telfed delegation, offering a comprehensive overview of the events on October 7th and their subsequent impact on the region.
Together, we are committed to driving this project forward, with a shared vision of revitalisation and community empowerment.
The first community we visited was Nir Am, where our focus is on fostering ‘people-to-people’ connections through educational and volunteering initiatives. Following this, we visited Sde Nitzan, a community with deep ties to South Africa, where we engaged with ex-South Africans on the management committee to better understand their specific needs.
Our journey continued to Talmei Yosef, a moshav with a rich history, including its evacuation from the Sinai in 1982 and subsequent resettlement in the Western Negev. Here, we met with South African vatikim Ivan and Sarah Fleish, alongside other committee members, to discuss their experiences on October 7th and the challenges they face moving forward.
This visit reinforced our commitment to the C2G project and the communities of the Western Negev, with a focus on our veteran Olim. We are excited about the future of this collaboration and deeply moved by the resilience and warmth of the Olim we met. We look forward to continuing our work together, building stronger, more vibrant communities.
Since October, Telfed volunteers (under the guidance of our Social Workers) have been calling Olim in the South and North to check In.
How important are these calls? Click to read about Cynthia’s experience at Sde Nitzan and to hear Ivan’s thoughts from Talmei Yosef.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!
We are looking for volunteers to help out at Nir Am. If you’re able to assist with unpacking, cleaning and organising, please sign up below.
Volunteers with experience in renovations, repairs or gardening are needed on 20 August.
Sign up here:
*14 August (Tel Aviv): https://tinyurl.com/NirAm14Aug
*15 August (Nir Am, with transport from Raanana): https://tinyurl.com/NirAm15Aug
*20 August (Nir Am, with transport from Raanana): https://tinyurl.com/NirAm20Aug
