November 15, 2023.
Dear Friends of Neve Hanna,
With today’s lines I would like to share with you two special moments that we all experienced in Neve Hanna Children’s Home. The last Shabbat at Neve Hanna was a sad and contemplative Shabbat. The children arranged a large table outside and set it up in the most beautifully manner. But not even one of the 30 guests was present. This table was set for the 30 children who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. There was a yellow balloon attached to each chair. It was very emotional for our children, because they can particularly identify with the younger ones among the almost 240 abductees; after all, many of them are their age, but also younger or older, just like their siblings. As always in Neve Hanna, it is considered important to be able to express concerns, open questions, fears and much more, of course not only in the form of this table, but also addressed by the adults. Speeches and of course prayers also the songs the children sang helped to try to cope with this difficult subject.
Otherwise, Neve Hanna continues to settle into the new routine in the shadow of war. Learning still takes place in very different ways, which is exhausting for everyone. Our therapists work non-stop. The library enjoys a lot of interest. Dudu continues his ceramics workshop and much more. Nevertheless, we are sticking to planned events, at least when it comes to implementing them on our Neve Hanna premises. Activities outside are still impossible. Yesterday, like every year, we celebrated Sigd, the central holiday of Ethiopian Jews, which was established as a holiday in Israel in 2008. Because of their Ethiopian origins, Shlomi and other team members put together an authentic celebration that brought us all a wonderful afternoon.
Sincerely for today,
Antje C. Naujoks, Public Relations and Resource Development
Neve Hanna Children’s Home, Kiryat Gat, Israel
American Friends of Neve Hanna 