On October 7th, Israel was shaken by trauma that hit hardest in its southern communities. Families were torn apart, homes were destroyed, and entire communities were left in a state of shock, grappling with profound questions of how to move forward. The physical destruction is staggering, but the emotional and spiritual toll is just as heavy. Rebuilding from such a loss requires more than just bricks and mortar—it requires a deep reevaluation of identity and purpose. This is where Panim’s "To Bloom Again" project steps in, offering a path to resilience by focusing on Jewish-Israeli identity and community rebuilding.
The Importance of a New Narrative
After a traumatic event like the October 7th attacks, people need a new way to understand their world. Just as someone who survives a car accident might say, “I’ll drive more carefully from now on,” survivors of the southern communities need a fresh narrative that allows them to justify returning to their homes and continuing to raise their families in such a vulnerable place.
For many of those affected, returning to the south is not just about resettling in their homes—it’s about confronting the question of why they’re there in the first place. Before October 7th, many families moved to the area for practical reasons—affordable housing, beautiful landscapes, a strong sense of community. But after such devastating violence, those reasons may no longer feel like enough. "To Bloom Again" helps these communities engage with the difficult questions: What does it mean to return? How do you raise children in an area of danger? What kind of ideological framework can sustain that decision?
Vered Lichtenstein, a resident of a kibbutz in the south, exemplifies this shift. Before the attacks, she loved her kibbutz because of its natural beauty and close-knit community. But now, in the aftermath of loss, she questions whether these reasons are enough. "To return, we need to dig deeper," she reflects. The project helps people like Vered ask and answer these tough questions by reconnecting them with their Jewish-Israeli identity and their connection to the land of Israel.
Reconnecting with Jewish Identity: Tradition as One Path
While the heart of "To Bloom Again" is about helping communities reframe their ideologies, traditions still play a crucial role. Ayala Wiezner, who leads the project, explains how traditions can be a source of strength and resilience. She shares her own story about discovering the ritual of tashlich—a symbolic act of casting away one’s burdens by throwing stones into a body of water—when she moved from her secular kibbutz to Jerusalem. For her, this tradition became a powerful way of processing pain and letting go of the hardships of the past year.
Communities like Kibbutz Netiv HaAsara have recently experienced tashlich as a way to heal after the devastation they’ve faced. “Many people had never heard of tashlich before,” Ayala says, “but we took them on a sunset cruise and they’ve used it as an opportunity to address their trauma.” By revisiting and reshaping traditions like these, the "To Bloom Again" project helps communities not only honor their Jewish heritage but also find a way forward.
However, this is only one aspect of the broader identity work being done. Tradition serves as a bridge between past and future, but it’s the larger questions of ideology and purpose—of why they choose to stay on this land—that are at the core of the project’s efforts.
Reframing Ideologies and Attachment to the Land
Zionist identity and the attachment to the land of Israel are deeply woven into the fabric of these communities. For many, their relationship with the land has always been about more than just geography—it’s about history, culture, and a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. But after the attacks, even this ideological connection is being challenged.
Rabbi Shira Levine, another leader in the project, points out how some communities are struggling with the fear that their kibbutz will become a permanent memorial to the lives lost. "Our work is not only about life cycle events or rabbinical guidance," she explains.
"It’s also about helping people reconnect with their physical spaces and find ways to move forward while honoring their past."
It’s a delicate balance—holding on to the memories of those who were lost while also creating space for new growth and future hope.
For families now questioning their decision to stay, this ideological reflection is key. Why continue to live in an area marked by such danger? What does Zionist identity look like in the face of tragedy? And how can they rebuild their lives in a way that feels both safe and meaningful?
A Collective Process: Deciding Together How to Move Forward
"To Bloom Again" has already worked with 52 communities, many of them displaced or directly impacted by the events of October 7th. The process is deeply communal, bringing people together to ask these difficult questions and decide collectively how to move forward. Each community is unique in how it approaches these discussions, whether through rethinking traditions, designing new ceremonies, or simply gathering to talk through their fears and hopes.
Rabbi Levine emphasizes the importance of these gatherings, especially in times of crisis. She recounts her own experience during Yom Kippur this year, when her mother, too afraid to leave the house, refused to attend services. “It was heartbreaking,” she shares. “Because it is so important for people to come together during these moments—to support each other spiritually and emotionally.” These communal spaces become vital not just for religious reasons but for the deep human need to feel connected and understood.
Creating Spaces for Reflection and Belonging
For many communities, especially the more secular ones, the act of gathering for holidays or communal discussions is a new experience. "To Bloom Again" has helped bridge that gap by showing how meaningful these moments of reflection can be. It’s not just about religious observance—it’s about answering existential questions: Who are we as a community? Why are we here? And how do we rebuild a future together?
This process is transformative for communities that might not have previously engaged in such reflection. It’s a chance to reestablish a collective sense of belonging and to rebuild their connection to the land, their traditions, and each other.
Conclusion
The work of Panim’s "To Bloom Again" project highlights one undeniable truth—after trauma, new narratives are essential. People need a framework that allows them not only to survive but to thrive in the aftermath of tragedy. Whether it’s through tradition, ideology, or communal decision-making, this project gives communities the tools they need to move forward.
The project’s work with 52 communities so far is a testament to the power of identity in healing. And with continued support from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, even more communities will have the opportunity to rewrite their stories, grounded in a strong sense of Jewish-Israeli identity and a renewed connection to the land.
In the face of loss, the possibility of growth still remains. Through shared ideologies, traditions, and community bonds, these communities are finding ways to bloom again.
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