Kissufim:
Building A Brighter Future

Kissufim is moving forward.

With resilience, determination, and a shared vision for the future, our community is rebuilding more than homes. We are restoring connections, strengthening our roots, and creating new opportunities for generations to come.

Your support helps turn this vision into reality.

Be part of what we build next.

Our Story

In Hebrew, Kissufim means longing.

For over seventy years, that longing found its home in a vibrant, close-knit community on the edge of the Negev.

On October 7, 2023, everything changed. Our community was devastated, our lives uprooted, and our longing for home took on a painful new meaning.

Today, after years of displacement, we are finally home. But returning is only the beginning. Together, we are rebuilding not just the place we call home, but the community, connections, and future that give it meaning.

Who We Are: A Legacy of Connection

Founded in 1951 by pioneering immigrants from the United States and South America, Kibbutz Kissufim was built on the values of community, solidarity, and shared responsibility.

Over the generations, it grew into a close-knit community where families put down roots, children grew up alongside their neighbors, and grandparents watched new generations follow in their footsteps.

Life in Kissufim has always been about the moments we share: the Bikurim ceremony on Shavuot, celebrating the babies born that year; the legendary annual Purim party; and countless evenings spent together on the kibbutz lawns, filled with music, conversation, laughter, and a cold beer.

But more than traditions or places, what makes Kissufim special is its people. A community where everyone has a story, everyone has a place, and the bonds between us turn neighbors into family.

October 7: The Day Everything Changed

On October 7, 2023, Kibbutz Kissufim was devastated by a brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 20 community members and 29 soldiers who fought to defend the kibbutz.

Homes were destroyed, families were torn apart, and the lives of an entire community changed forever.

But the devastation went far beyond the physical destruction. The attack shattered the sense of safety and belonging that generations had built together, turning familiar homes, pathways, and gathering places into painful reminders of that day.

The loss of life, the trauma, and the destruction left wounds that will take years to heal—and a community forever changed.

Since Then: The long road home

In the aftermath of October 7, the entire Kissufim community was forced to leave their homes. What began as an emergency evacuation turned into nearly three years of displacement.

After eleven months in hotels by the Dead Sea, the community relocated to temporary housing in Omer, where families tried to rebuild routines, maintain connections, and create a sense of normalcy far from home.

The prolonged displacement took a heavy toll. Families faced uncertainty, disrupted livelihoods, emotional distress, and the challenge of preserving community bonds while living apart.

Throughout this difficult period, the people of Kissufim held on to one another and to the hope of returning home.

Today, our community is finally returning to Kissufim. But coming home is not the end of the journey. Rebuilding a sense of safety, restoring everyday life, and healing from years of trauma will take time, care, and continued support.

Beyond Returning Home: Building Our Future

Returning home was a milestone. But rebuilding a thriving community is a much longer journey.

After nearly three years of displacement, the people of Kissufim are working to restore not only their homes, but the foundations of community life: the places where children grow, neighbors gather, traditions continue, and new memories are made.

Our focus has shifted from emergency relief to long-term recovery and growth. We are investing in education, community spaces, emotional well-being, and opportunities that will allow Kissufim not only to recover, but to flourish.

Our priorities for the future include:

Community Life & Shared Spaces
Restoring the places that bring people together, strengthen relationships, and rebuild a sense of belonging.

Children, Youth & Education
Creating safe, inspiring environments where children and young families can thrive.

Healing & Resilience
Providing accessible, long-term emotional support to help individuals and families navigate the lasting effects of trauma.

Growth & Renewal
Strengthening the community's foundations, attracting new families, and building a sustainable future for generations to come.

Rebuilding Kissufim is not about returning to what was. It's about creating what comes next.

why we came home

We came home because Kissufim is more than a place on a map.

It is where our children took their first steps, where generations grew up together, where neighbors became family, and where countless ordinary moments became a lifetime of memories.

We came home because community cannot simply be recreated elsewhere. Because our roots run deep. And because, despite everything we have lost, we still believe in the future we can build here.

Returning was a choice. Rebuilding is a commitment.

By standing with Kissufim, you are helping us do more than restore what was lost. You are helping us build a future where new generations can grow, belong, and thrive.

You are helping turn longing back into belonging.