Ayalim students hold ceremony in newly renovated student village – Israel News

A celebratory event was held at the Ayalim Association on Tuesday Sderotnewly restored student village on the occasion of the beginning of the 2024 academic year.

The event, themed “Courage and Renewal,” was attended by hundreds of Ayalim students and youth from across Israel, who gathered to celebrate resilience in the wake of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The ceremony reflected the enormous effort put into restoring the village and its determination to thrive as a symbol of Israeli resilience.

The student village, whose reconstruction was supported by the Sderot commune and the Jewish National Fund (JNF), was directly destroyed by rocket fire during the recent conflict. ON October 7students were locked in their apartments as rockets and shootings erupted around them, some near the local police station. Following this, the Ayalim Association facilitated the evacuation by relocating students to hotels near the Dead Sea, where it initiated programs for local youth, creating continuity of community support and fostering resilience even in the event of displacement.

The ceremony began with speeches by Sigal Barzilai, CEO of Ayalim; Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi; and Shalom Garbi, head of JNF’s education and community department. Barzilai highlighted the city’s journey from destruction to resilience, saying, “Our community has faced extreme challenges, but our resilience has brought us back here.” Mayor Davidi described Sderot as a “symbol of resilience” and highlighted the development of an engaged, young community looking to rebuild their lives in the Negev.

Celebration in the restored student village in Sderot. (Source: DAVID SALEM)

Shalom Garbi of the JNF reflected on the spirit of Israel, declaring, “Today’s gathering is a testament to Israel’s strength. Even in the midst of pain and loss, we rebuild and remember those who sacrificed. In Sderot, in the heart of the renewing Negev, we honor the indestructible spirit of families, communities and the State of Israel.”

The day is full of inspiring speeches

The day also featured inspiring speeches by Iris Haim, mother of fallen soldier Yotam Haim, and Colonel (Res.) Yonatan Raz, discussing the challenges in the Middle East. The panel titled “A Nation of Heroes” allowed survivors and rescuers to share their experiences, including stories of courage from local heroes such as Oz Davidian and Major (Res.) Evyatar Zeitouni, highlighting the heroism and sacrifice built into Sderot and neighboring municipalities .

Since October 7, Ayalim members have been at the forefront of community initiatives, and this event highlights the ongoing mission to restore the student village and attract young Israelis to Sderot, the Negev and the northern regions of Israel.