By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President
Reflections on our trip to Israel: The Land, Zionism, and Resilience
In Genesis, God tells Avram, “Go forth…to the land that I will show you.” For thousands of years, The Land—now called Israel—has been more than a homeland. It is a living, breathing testament to the resilience, faith, and determination of the Jewish people. I just returned from The Land after a trip representing Women’s League on the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ 50th mission to Israel. During that trip, I witnessed firsthand the strength of Israelis, particularly in the agricultural communities of the kibbutzim, who have endured immense suffering since the attacks of October 7, 2023.
One of the most profound aspects of Zionism is the intimate relationship between the people and the land of Israel. Nowhere is this more evident than in the farming communities of the South, including Kibbutz Nir Oz. Seventy percent of the fresh produce in Israel comes from Nir Oz and other kibbutzim in this region. However, the events of October 7 brought devastation beyond imagination to both the people and the land.
The attack was not only aimed at killing and destroying lives but also severing the Israeli people’s connection to the land. During last year’s Conference of Presidents Mission, we witnessed the devastation of lives and homes. During this year’s mission, we also learned about the extent of agricultural terrorism perpetrated by Hamas. On October 7, terrorists stole tractors and other farming equipment, destroyed crops and fields, and wrecked irrigation systems—targeting the very lifeline of the agricultural kibbutz communities and the nation that is dependent on the food they produce. Farmers who returned just two days later to tend to their livestock discovered that even the dairy barn had been infiltrated by terrorists. Yet, despite these horrors, they refused to abandon their fields. By the end of October, they were back at work, reaffirming their commitment to the land.
The process of rebuilding Nir Oz has begun with a clear vision—to turn tragedy into a symbol of strength and resilience of the Jewish people. The community overwhelmingly voted to reconstruct their kibbutz—not just as it was, but stronger, more modern and more productive. The heavy machinery and irrigation systems have been replaced and the fields have been replanted. Trauma-informed design will ensure that the new structures acknowledge the past while creating a safe and nurturing future.
By this summer, the first thirty families are expected to return, bringing life back to this vital piece of Israel’s agricultural heartland. The families are committed to this rebirth of the Kibbutz. We heard their stirring words: “We are a people that chooses life. Nir Oz will be the symbol of rebuilding, not just the symbol of atrocities.” When former hostage Gadi Mozes, age 80, was released after 482 days in captivity, his son told us that before he even saw his family, he wanted to know about the fields of Nir Oz. He quickly declared that he wanted to “return soon to the fields and contribute to the rebuilding of Nir Oz.” This is a true testament to how deeply the land is ingrained in the identity of all its residents.
Traveling to the northern border, during the recent mission, we saw another stark reality of the importance of land and its cultivation. Standing at an elevated point at Kibbutz Misgav Am on the Lebanese border, we looked out over fields that told two different stories. On the Israeli side, toward Metullah, fields were meticulously planted and maintained—a reflection of the dedication of farmers who see the land as both an inheritance and a responsibility. Across the border in Lebanon, just a few yards away, the land lay rocky and untamed. This contrast speaks volumes about the values and goals of those who dwell on either side of the border.
The attacks on Israel’s northern communities have left their mark as well. Hezbollah anti-tank missiles severely damaged Kibbutz Manara and it has been nearly abandoned for eighteen months; yet the desire to return remains strong. Despite the destruction, flowers are blooming—nature providing signs of the life that will soon return to these communities. Their determination to reclaim and restore their homes mirrors the unwavering spirit seen in the South; they, too, plan to rebuild, with the first families expected to return by this summer.
The connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel is sacred, and, when in Israel, truly palpable. On my first trip to Israel years ago, when passengers still exited the airplane onto the tarmac, I witnessed several people kissing the ground as they got off the plane. This act of reverence speaks to the fulfillment of generations of longing. Even now, when stepping into Ben Gurion Airport, the arrivals hall serves as a sobering reminder of what has been taken—the walls lined with photos of the hostages who were torn from their homes. It is a powerful juxtaposition: the joy of returning to The Land and the ever-present grief of those who are still missing.
This connection was never clearer than on the last day of our trip, when the bodies of the Bibas children—and eventually their mother, Shiri Bibas—as well as Oded Lifshitz, all from Nir Oz, were finally returned to be buried in the soil of their homeland. Even in death, the return to the Land holds deep significance—a final act of belonging and a reaffirmation that no force can sever this bond.
Israel is both a place and a promise—one that continues to be fulfilled through the hands of those who till its soil, protect its borders, and rebuild from the ashes. The resilience of the people we met is not just inspiring, it is a testament to the enduring strength of Zionism itself. As Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said, “We are not a people that has a story; we are a story that has a people.” And that story, woven into the very fabric of the Land, continues to unfold with unwavering determination and hope.
Shabbat Shalom,
Julia Loeb
jloeb@wlcj.org
