4 5 1 2 3 148 149 Chapter Ten | Community Life Farming generated partnerships and friendships between farmers and even strengthened family �es as fathers and sons worked the land together.22 A Jewish presence in the area improved the climate, brought down blessed rains, weakened the sandstorms and created addi�onal development possibili�es. Gush Ka�f residents witnessed the close-knint rela�onship and mutual influence between a Jewish person and nature, especially with the increased quan��es of produce from year to year.23 The residents shared a team spirit and a sense of mission, which accompanied them almost from the first moment in Gush Ka�f. They felt like the ambassadors of that place and tried to represent it faithfully. They felt a strong desire to tell about what was done there, and about the rapid developments in agriculture, construc�on and tourism. The residents felt that God's blessing was upon them.24 Admi�ng New Residents New residents were joyfully and generously accepted. Many fondly remember the warm welcome they received when they arrived at Gush Ka�f.25 The assimila�on of the Bnei Menashe community, who came from India was very successful in terms of absorbing Aliyah, despite their differet looks, customs, and culture. Members of that community soon integrated in all areas, especially in the spiritual one, in the synagogues, in holidays and Shabbat events, although they preferred to spend more �me amongst their own community. Tolerance towards difference was evident in religious ma�ers, poli�cal inclina�ons, age, ethnicity, etc.26 The diversity of people from India, Canada, Morocco and Russia - gave the place its uniqueness.27 Although, naturally, there were some tensions between the groups, between secular and ultra-Orthodox, and agricultural se�lements vs. communal se�lement - these tensions did not cloud the joint fabric of life in Gush Ka�f, both due to the crea�ve solu�ons devised to alleviate them, and the tolerance of all the residents. For example, several beaches were operated: a separate beach for the religious public, a family beach and a beach operated on Shabbat by an Arab lifeguard in favor of the secular public. By prac�cing inclusion, all needs were duly addressed. In the se�lement of Netzer Hazani, people from 19 countries prayed together, crea�ng a uniform formula accepted by all;28 in Neve Dekalim, the largest and central se�lement, three synagogues were built in one compound, with one shared courtyard, so they could all meet at the end of the prayer. Unity was above all, and a lot of money and efforts were invested in it.29 Inves�ng in Formal and Informal Educa�on The variety of educa�onal ins�tu�ons established by the community at great effort expressed the tremendous emphasis that the residents placed on the value of educa�on and their desire to match each popula�on with an educa�onal ins�tu�on they would be comfortable with. Excep�onal measures were also invested in the youth sector, with the understanding that this is an investment in future genera�ons, in the community's 'tomorrow.' Gush Ka�f youth formed an important part of the community. Proof of this is the fact that all those who studied in ins�tu�ons outside of Gush Ka�f received the council's newspapers by direct mail. Every month, these newspapers were sent to fi�y educa�onal ins�tu�ons throughout Israel, where Gush Ka�f youth studied. Moreover, each of them received a gi� on their birthday, and they all received surprise visits from the social coordinators. These things boosted their pres�ge in the eyes of the other students, and thus their sense of belonging to Gush Ka�f was preserved and for�fied. Personal a�en�on and content created especially for these youngsters, in accordance with their par�cular needs, made them proud of their heritage.30 They also contributed, to the best of their ability, to the struggle against the disengagement plan. 31 The Yulis Tournament' - a basketball tournament between teenagers from Gush Ka�f communi�es, in commemora�on of the late Itai Yulis of Neve Dekalim who died of cancer at the age of 15 - was (and s�ll is) one of the impressive events held in Gush Ka�f. The tournament was ini�ated by Itai's classmates, conducted and organized by Shlomo Yulis, Itai's father. During the summer, training sessions and games were held between the youth of all locali�es in prepara�on for the endgame, which was actually a sports compe��on. The prepara�ons, mee�ngs, compe��ons, and everything surrounding them, created a special atmosphere, and they connected and united the en�re community: the families of the players, friends, and neighbors. The whole community hustled and bustled, which contributed to the social cohesion.32 The regional cultural events also contributed and added a lot to communal harmony. The community center offered ac�vi�es for all ages and needs, and became a mee�ng hub that linked the residents at the regional level. The community center also ini�ated and organized various shows and events. Seeing 20 buses leaving from Gush Ka�f towards Park Nachshonit, carrying 1000 residents of Gush Ka�f out for a joint recrea�onal day filled everyone's hearts with sa�sfac�on, and a sense of belonging, not only the community center workers. Bringing first-class ar�sts, and an audience of thousands from all over the country to the singalong celebra�ons at Lake Ka�f - was the pinnacle of cultural ac�vity.33 Israeli holidays were high points in the cultural life of Gush Ka�f communi�es, locally and regionally alike. The 'Dance un�l Dawn' event, held each year on Independence Day became the main annual gathering of Gush Ka�f. The Purim Market and the fes�ve Carnival Procession that took place in the Neve Dekalim square, were a magnet for the children of the area and their parents. The residents looked forward to these events for a whole year, and even brought many guests to show the extent of the work.34 Whenever a threat and security tension prevailed, the emergency squads went into ac�on. In each locality, residents volunteered to be on the emergency squad. In addi�on to technical assistance and help, their main goal was to show resilience to the local community. The emergency squads that were established to help in difficult �mes and support people, displayed strength and knowledge, and duly received these back from the residents.35 As soon as the threat of evic�on was sounded, the residents launched intensive ac�on, as individuals and as communi�es, to try and change that evil decree. The intense ac�vity lowered the anxiety level and increased the coping mechanisms of young and old alike. The feeling of 'togetherness' that spread throughout the area largely contributed to its ability to cope with life during uncertainty about the area's future. The slogan of the struggle over the homes was - "Together we shall pervail!"... "Those who build together, those who plant together, also fight together," explained Moshe Hamiel. 36 On the eve of the disengagement, when threats to close the roads were sounded throughout Gush Ka�f, and large financial losses were already looming, most of the residents remained in their homes, as part of a community statement, its strength and resilience, and the desire to belong, un�l the very last moment, to this vast, strong thing called: 'Gush Ka�f Community. 1 Independence Day Ceremony for kindergarten children 2 Purim Party for women 3 Purim Carnival in Neve Dekalim 4 Zvi Handel, the Head of Council and Ida Nudel, former refusnik and ac�vist, at an evening held in her honor 5 The 'Ulis' tournament at the Ka�f Community Center
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