Buds of renewal: Kibbutz Saad and other evacuated kibbutzim planted olive trees

“Saad are the first to return to Otef as a large group and we hope that they will be the driving force that will draw the other members and kibbutzim of Otef home.” These words were said by Amos Perjon, head of the economics department in the kibbutz movement, at the olive tree planting ceremony that took place today (Wednesday) at Kibbutz Sa’ad, a tree that was planted in each of the evacuated kibbutzim in honor of Passover and the hope for renewal.

Dozens of activists and the activities of the kibbutz movement together with representatives from kibbutzim evacuated from the surrounding area and the northern border participated during the day in planting olive trees in evacuated kibbutzim. In kibbutzim where access was not possible, the seedling was delivered to the place where the members were evacuated.

Members of Kibbutz Saad, which is about 3.5 km from the border fence, started returning to the kibbutz two months ago. The kibbutz estimates that 80% of them have already returned home. The children’s homes and the elementary school in the kibbutz have opened, and with them all branches of the economy.

“Wherever they tried and succeeded in sowing destruction and death, we will plant and clean up – that’s our job,” said Amos Farjon. “On this Passover eve, bereavement knocked on the door of hundreds of families and their arrangement will be much sadder. On this holiday of freedom we have 133 hostages, we are called to release them all, now.”

Sa’ad, one of the 24 kibbutzim and seats of the religious kibbutz movement, is the first kibbutz of the Bnei Akiva movement and was built in 1947. Today, about 1,000 members live there. On October 7, members of his emergency squad fought terrorists outside the kibbutz. “I hope that together we will be worthy of those who gave their lives so that we can continue to live here and renew our days as before,” said Dvir Levy, a member of the kibbutz’s standby squad. Levy fought during the entire Shabbat and the following days, and since then he has been serving in the reserves as a member of the standby squad.

The kibbutz suffered losses just outside its gates: members of the farm Dor Rider, who was murdered in Kibbutz Bari, and Nevo Shlomo Arad, who was murdered in Nova. During the war, the kibbutz lost two soldiers: Rose Lubin and Rebecca Baruch, new immigrants through Gerin Sabar who lived in the kibbutz. Lubin, a fighter in the MGB force, fell in Jerusalem; Baruch died suddenly while serving as a combat officer.

“This is a seedling of revival” says Sara Evron, member of the kibbutz and secretary of the religious kibbutz movement “the very repetition gives us strength.” People who see the others returning understand that they want to be a part of what is emerging here, and we decided to be the ones to create the path for all of us back.”