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The organizations have helped fund and implement the initiative as part of a broader effort to build young, vibrant communities in the heart of the hardest-hit kibbutzim.
In a bold and unprecedented move since the outbreak of the war, fifty young adults from the Hashomer Hatzair movement have returned to Kibbutz Nir Oz to lead a significant and empowering effort to rebuild the Gaza border region.
This initiative, carried out in partnership with Kibbutz Nir Oz and supported by the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund and the Homeward Initiative, is part of a national push to restore kibbutz communities following the events of October 7.
On Sunday, August 3, a symbolic event took place at the heart of the kibbutz.
To mark the resettlement of the newly built Halutz neighborhood—constructed after the October 7 massacre and soon to house dozens of returning residents – young members of Hashomer Hatzair arrived, moved into temporary housing, and began laying the foundations for a new educational community in a place that was nearly emptied after the attack.
Nearly seven decades after Nir Oz was established by graduates of Hashomer Hatzair, a new generation has returned – not as outside volunteers, but as full partners in building a renewed communal life.
These young adults, committed to education and social change, are acting now with courage and determination to shape a different future.
“The move was a major and complex undertaking,” says Rafael Turkienicz, 29, a recent immigrant from Brazil and one of the initiative’s planners.
“It took a lot of organizing within our community and tremendous support from the people around us—family, partners in Hashomer Hatzair, friends, and many others who believed in this mission and stepped up to help.”
Raz Baruch, 26, who relocated from Kibbutz Kfar Menachem to Nir Oz, adds:
“We’re arriving with excitement, but also with fear and uncertainty. Moving to a kibbutz near Gaza is not a simple decision. Still, we carry with us deep hope and a strong vision for the future of this region and for Nir Oz itself.”
The initiative is part of the Mefalsei Nativ (“Path Levelers”) program of Hashomer Hatzair, in partnership with Kibbutz Nir Oz and with core support from the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund – the body leading the recovery efforts of kibbutz communities in the Gaza border region since October 7.
The Homeward Initiative, an educational foundation strengthening southern and northern communities since the war’s outbreak, has also played a key role in supporting the project from its inception.
Together, the organizations have helped fund and implement the initiative as part of a broader effort to build young, vibrant communities in the heart of the hardest-hit kibbutzim.
“For us, the decision to move to Nir Oz is the embodiment of everything we were raised on in Hashomer Hatzair – acting together with courage and stepping in where we’re needed,” says Yahel Meirovich, 27, Hashomer Hatzair’s regional coordinator in Eshkol.
Due to limited infrastructure, the group is currently housed in temporary accommodations: former children’s houses converted into living units, undamaged apartments, and other adapted spaces.
Despite the challenging conditions, the choice was clear: not to wait, but to begin rebuilding from the ground up.
Over the past year, members of Hashomer Hatzair have been deeply involved in supporting the region’s recovery – working with evacuated families and children, assisting educational institutions, and volunteering in temporary housing sites and evacuated kibbutzim.
Now, by settling in Nir Oz, they are transitioning from external support to leadership within the community.
That same day, an emotional intergenerational gathering was held between the returning youth and members of the Halutzim – the first residents to come back to Nir Oz after the attack – bringing together past and present, experience and hope, loss and renewal.
In a region still facing ongoing security threats, this return is more than symbolic. It is a determined act of social and economic recovery.
It restores life to a devastated place, strengthens community bonds, and sends a message of resilience, commitment, and belief in a shared future.
For Hashomer Hatzair, this is a tangible realization of the movement’s core values: pioneering, mutual responsibility, and educational leadership.
Their presence is not simply about relocation. It is a conscious choice to take responsibility, integrate into the community, and drive healing and growth.
“On October 7, Kibbutz Nir Oz suffered profound destruction – physical, communal, and emotional,” says Zviki Tessler, Chairman of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
“Alongside physical reconstruction, we are placing deep emphasis on social recovery and renewing the spirit of the kibbutz. The group of educators from Hashomer Hatzair now arriving will become part of our community fabric. They will help us realize our vision during this complex time. This kibbutz, founded 70 years ago by members of Hashomer Hatzair, is now welcoming a new group of educators and social leaders who will guide us from devastation to renewal. And through it all, we never forget our loved ones still held in Gaza. The fight for their return continues. Rebuilding will never be complete without them.”
“Relocating to Nir Oz and rebuilding communities in the north and south is the call of the hour,” saysRonit Snir, Secretary-General of Hashomer Hatzair.
“This is the Zionist and pioneering act of 2025. Hashomer Hatzair has always educated toward the realization of ideals. We will continue to act for a better future, for the return of the hostages, for an end to the war, and for the healing of Israeli society.”
“Since October 2023, the Rehabilitation Fund has worked closely with communities across Israel to rebuild kibbutzim affected by the war,” says Neri Shotan, CEO of the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund.
“Our work goes beyond construction – we focus on strengthening the social, economic, and educational foundations of each community. The return of Hashomer Hatzair’s young adults to Nir Oz is a key step in that effort. It reflects the pioneering spirit and mutual responsibility that define the kibbutz movement. Together, we are building a safer, stronger future for the Gaza border region.”
“The arrival of an educational community in Nir Oz represents a meaningful step in the kibbutz’s renewal,” says Sigal Moran, CEO of the Homeward Initiative.
“After the tragedy this region endured, a thriving educational future for children and youth is essential for demographic and social growth. These educators are not just professionals – they are messengers of hope, continuity, and resilience. Their work affirms a powerful message: this is home, and we are returning to it with full hearts and great momentum.”
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