December 2024 Update

Kibbutz Sufa, a 43-year-old community situated in the Western Negev desert along the Gazan border, suffered devastating losses in the October 7 terrorist attacks. Sufa’s 80 families endured violence, were forced from their homes, and several residents lost their lives. Through our Israel Emergency Fund, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford committed to helping rebuild the Sufa community. A subsequent partnership, established by The Jewish Agency for Israel, has created deep personal connections between members of the Sufa and Greater Hartford communities. Together, we stand with the displaced members of Sufa, building relationships and addressing their most urgent needs — as defined by them.

Creating Person-to-Person Connections

Since launching the partnership between Kibbutz Sufa and Greater Hartford, our community has sent hundreds of letters of support, written by people of all ages. Here are a few highlights:



• Camp Shalom campers, from second through eighth grade, sent over 100 letters to Sufa families, many with handmade friendship bracelets. Thank you, Camp Shalom!

• Crown Market shoppers of all ages penned warm notes to Sufa members in both English and Hebrew, thanks to the wonderful initiative by the Grassroots Jewish Women's Group and The Crown Market.

• As part of this year’s October 7 commemoration event, hundreds of Greater Hartford community members expressed their support for Sufa with a video message and handwritten notes of solidarity. 

• Members of Beth David Synagogue's Summer Mission ensured that letters were hand-delivered to the kibbutz community at their temporary home in Ofakim, Israel. Additionally, several Greater Hartford families traveling to Israel created an informal courier service, shepherding more letters to the Sufa families. Thanks to all who participated!

• Students at the New England Jewish Academy (NEJA) and Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford used markers, construction paper, and a lot of love to craft personalized Rosh Hashanah cards for their Sufa friends. Way to go!

Members of the Sufa community expressed a mutual desire to connect as two communities — and have written many letters in return, both in English and Hebrew. We have also embraced the power of video and digital messages to deepen the connections between our communities, regularly sharing personal stories and well wishes. In one instance, members of Kibbutz Sufa created a moving video in which they shared their village's current condition and their thoughts about returning home.

Shana tova letters from Kibbutz Sufa.

A letter to Schechter students.

Kibbutz members meet together in Ofakim, a city in the Southern District of Israel.

Holiday Celebrations with Kibbutz Sufa

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford sponsored gift baskets for more than 100 Sufa families in celebration of Rosh Hashanah. The baskets included items made from kibbutzim along the Gazan border, as well as in northern Israel. A postcard featuring a painting of Sufa was also included. Students from Schechter and NEJA used markers, construction paper, and a lot of love to create personalized Rosh Hashanah cards for each family to accompany their gift baskets.

The families responded with heartwarming video messages, showing their gift baskets and sharing shana tova wishes in return. Schechter students then created their own videos, and kibbutz members wrote back with cards — each exchange deepening the bonds between students and their new friends in Israel.

Gift bag items for the Sufa community.

Greater Hartford community members craft cards for Sufa.

Sukkot

NEJA student’s hearts for Sukkot.

Sukkot hearts from Schechter.

Kibbutz Sufa members gathered in Tel Aviv for a special Sukkot dinner celebration. Traveling from their temporary homes in Ramat Gan and Ofakim, they spent a beautiful evening sharing food, music, and cherished friendships. Banners of support and love, created by NEJA and Schechter students, were created for the occasion. The dinner was sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.

Friendsgiving

During the Thanksgiving holiday, approximately 15 middle school students from Schechter and the Sufa community came together for a special “Friendsgiving” via Zoom. The group shared holiday customs and traditions, and embraced the opportunity to build lifelong friendships.

A local student and teacher video chat with Sufa resident during a "Friendsgiving" celebration.

We are excited to see more friendships develop as our partnership with Sufa continues — and we want everyone in the Greater Hartford community to feel this special connection! Watch for future opportunities to connect with members of Kibbutz Sufa and build new friendships with our brothers and sisters in Israel.