Rebuilding Hope, Restoring Resilience: Supporting Israel’s Border Communities
The Resilience CAMPAIGN
THIS IS MORE THAN AID—IT’S A PROMISE TO ISRAEL’S FUTURE. WE STAND WITH ESHKOL TODAY SO IT STANDS EVEN STRONGER TOMORROW.
The American Zionist Movement, in partnership with the World Zionist Organization’s Rural Growth and Development Department, is committed to strengthening Israel’s border communities by mobilizing the support of American Jewry.
On October 7th, the communities along Israel’s southern border suffered unimaginable devastation. Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack—murdering and kidnapping innocent civilians and destroying entire towns. Today, many of these communities continue to face the aftermath with limited government assistance.
The Resilience Campaign focuses on supporting the Eshkol Region communities located just beyond 7 kilometers from the Gaza border. Despite being deeply impacted, these communities have received minimal aid and are left to rebuild on their own.
The Resilience Campaign is our collective answer—empowering local leaders, restoring essential infrastructure, and helping these communities rebuild stronger, safer, and more united than ever.
Join us in standing with Israel’s border communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
RESILIENCE IS MEASURED NOT BY WHAT WE ENDURE, BUT BY HOW WE REBUILD.
The Challenges of Israel's Southern Border Communities
01
Left Behind by Policy
Communities in Israel’s Eshkol Region that are more than 7 kilometers from the Gaza border are excluded from government tragedy and terrorism response funding. This geographic distinction leaves entire populations without critical resources—despite facing the same threats as neighboring areas.
02
A Wound That’s Still Open
After the trauma of October 7, local leaders and residents are still reeling from physical destruction, emotional hardship, and financial instability. Without sufficient infrastructure or funding, recovery has become a daily battle.
03
Leadership Under Pressure
These community leaders—volunteers in many cases—are forced to make high-stakes decisions affecting safety, livelihoods, and recovery, all while lacking the tools, support, and financial backing necessary to act effectively.
How We're Rebuilding
THE KEY INITIATIVE : COMMUNITY LEADER MENTORSHIP
The Resilience Campaign funds programming that equips local leaders with professional support, enabling them to make critical decisions and develop the processes needed to rebuild and strengthen border communities affected by the October 7 invasion.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Develop an integrated plan that aligns infrastructure, security, economic development, to drive long-term community growth and resilience.
DEMOGRAPHIC GROWTH STRATEGY
Formulate targeted initiatives to attract new residents, optimize population growth, and plan for sustainable expansion.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Empower local leaders to design and implement essential infrastructure, including public spaces, transportation, and community hubs.
COMMUNITY IDENTITY BRANDING
Develop compelling branding that emphasizes the community’s key strengths positioning it as an attractive destination for new residents.
Talmei Eliyahu
The story of a frontline community determined to rise again
An agricultural moshav located approximately 7126 kilometers (4.44 miles) from the Gaza border. This proximity has historically subjected the community to security challenges and exclusion from government support.
Hope & The Future
“We are in the midst of a long, complex, and never-ending process. We have built physical infrastructure, but the human rebuilding is still ongoing. We are looking for ways to restore security, rehabilitate the community.”
– Kibbutz Be’eri Member
Investing in Resilience
Every Israeli community deserves to feel supported in times of challenge.
Be a part of the rebuilding effort.
current ask:
200K
To support 9 Eshkol Region communities with resilience services for a year.
FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY:
35
Scaling resilience service to 35 communities in Southern Israel.
This Chanukah, Give the Gift of Hope- and Help Rebuild Lives in Israel
The American Zionist Movement, in partnership with ESEK and Israel Food Rescue, invites you to be part of Israel’s renewal with the Chanukah Gift Box of Hope- a beautifully curated collection from Israeli farmers, artisans, and family businesses impacted by the war.
25% of every purchase supports the AZM Resilience Campaign, funding local leadership and trauma recovery programs in the Eshkol Region — communities along the Gaza border rebuilding their lives and future.
Each kosher gift box ships free worldwide and includes meaningful products — olive oil, handmade candles, honey, chocolate, and more — each infused with stories of courage and hope.
Donate $180 to receive your Gift Box of Hope and help restore lives across Israel.
Your Questions, Answered
This section answers the most common questions about the campaign, where funds are going, and why these communities need help.
The American Zionist Movement (AZM) is the umbrella body in the United States convening a broad spectrum of Zionist organizations and is the US affiliate of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). The WZO Rural Growth and Development Division has many years of experience working to build resilient, self-sustaining communities in Israel’s periphery, including Southern Israel. AZM is working with WZO as our proven partner to support the Resilience Campaign.
The Eshkol Region lies just miles from the Gaza border and has long been on the frontlines of conflict. Despite their proximity to danger, many of these communities are excluded from government emergency aid, leaving them to recover from trauma and destruction with little to no official support. Their resilience is remarkable — and with your help, we can strengthen it.
Funds from this campaign directly support our Community Resilience Mentorship initiative. This includes professional mentorship and targeted training to ensure local leaders are fully prepared to navigate the complex challenges of rebuilding and restructuring in the aftermath of October 7.
Your support helps empower these leaders to guide their communities through recovery with strength and resilience.
We’re working with nine frontline communities in the Eshkol Region: Nave, Bnei Netzarim, Talmei Eliyahu, Sde Nitzan, Tzohar, Ohad, Urim, Tze’elim, and Gvulot.
Each has unique needs, but they all share one thing in common: a deep determination to recover, grow, and thrive despite overwhelming odds.
Israel’s current aid policy offers funding only to communities located within 7km of the Gaza border. Many of the Eshkol communities we’re supporting are located just outside that line — some by only a few hundred meters. Despite facing the same threats and losses, they’ve been left out of official funding programs. Our campaign fills this gap.
You can help spread the word by sharing this project on your social media platforms. You can also download our one-pager informational page to easily share it with friends, family, or your community.
