A Week of Settling In
The week began with a quiet sense of returning to routine, familiar paths, familiar mornings, and the grounding feeling of knowing where we are needed. After weeks of transition, there is something comforting about days shaped by purpose: classrooms to enter, people to meet, and tasks that slowly weave us into the life of Kfar Aza.
Growing Connections at School
The rhythm at the school is becoming more natural. Faces that were once new now greet us with recognition; the conversations come more easily; and the shared work feels increasingly cohesive. Every lesson, every interaction, small as it may seem, feels like stitching one more thread into this community’s recovery.
Living the Everyday Life of the Kibbutz
Outside the school hours, the days fill themselves in typical Kfar Aza fashion: a walk past the fields, a chat with a neighbour, an errand in the centre of the kibbutz. The flow of life here is gentle but profoundly meaningful. It reminds us why presence matters, simply being here, day after day, holds its own quiet weight.
Welcoming Visitors and Sharing the Story
This week also brought visitors – friends, supporters, and curious guests. Hosting them offered a chance to share not just what we do, but how it feels to live and volunteer here. Their reactions, often a mix of admiration and disbelief, highlighted again just how extraordinary this community’s journey has been.
A Walk Under the Full Moon
One morning began with the last glow of a full moon setting, and an evening ended with a moonlit walk as part of our walking group. These moments, simple, unplanned, luminous, anchor us. In a place rebuilding itself, beauty often arrives quietly, reminding us why we are here.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Our weekly group meeting introduced us to the community centre team responsible for hosting the Shnat Sherut 50 Plus program in Sha’ar HaNegev. They manage the houses we live in, help coordinate our placements, and serve as the connective tissue between volunteers and the wider community. The meeting ended with a playful paired activity, a chance to laugh together and remember the importance of joy.
Finding a Steady Pace
As the week drew to a close, the rhythm of life felt steadier. There is still uncertainty, still bureaucracy, still shifting needs but there is also purpose, connection, and a growing sense of belonging. This is what a service year looks like: small steps, taken daily, slowly rebuilding a community and a sense of home.
