One Journey, Multiple Voices: Rabbi Bernie Fox’s Perspective
June 17, 2026
One Journey, Multiple Perspectives: Deva Hasson’s Perspective
June 17, 2026
DAY 3 – FEBRUARY 19, 2026
‘RE’
Today was a day that began the same as the past few days. Coffee, lots and lots of coffee. And as we commenced our multi hour drive up to the northern city of Kiryat Shmona I recognized another similarity from the previous days. Cranes and construction, lots and lots of cranes and construction.
I came on this trip unsure of what to expect. Would there be devastation? Yes there is. Would there be unspeakable horrors? Yes there were. Would people be overwhelmed by the collective trauma from October 7? Yes, AND…. Because the past few days have shown me something else about this country. It’s a place of ‘RE’. Rebuilding. Reconnecting. Reinventing. Renewal.
Everywhere we go we hear the loud noise of hammers and power tools. There is not a place we have visited where didn’t see new buildings and homes going up where the previous ones have so recently been destroyed.
The people we meet share with us so graciously stories about their lives and their very personal experiences from before, during and after the war. They are creating jobs where businesses were destroyed, building communities where homes were lost, and they are teaching REsilience where the unimaginable occurred.
Despite displacement in the North for people who were forced to evacuate from their homes (for close to two years!) they are coming back determined to make this place better than it was before the war. They are REenvisioning new industry, new education systems and individualized support for children and adults according to their needs.
Israel is a place of ‘RE’ and I am humbled and so very grateful to spend this very short and very coffee fueled week with this very REsilient people.
– Deanne
