Today began with more devastating news for the families of hostages, the Gaza border communities, and the whole country with the return of 6 hostages who had been killed by Hamas within the last week. The murder of Adv.-St.-Sgt.-Maj. Roni Shakuri, 61, from Sderot, the father of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Mor Shakuri who was murdered on October 7, in a terror attack that claimed the lives of 3 police officers this morning was another blow to the communities that have suffered horrific losses and ongoing trauma.
Yet, today is also September 1st, the beginning of the school year, and the schools in Shaar HaNegev re-opened, albeit at 65% capacity. Security Chief for Shaar HaNegev, Eyal Hajbi said, “This year we don’t see the joy as we’ve seen in all the past years. Some people are still grieving from the events of the 7th of October, so the opening ceremony is celebrated more discreetly, more subdued, less joy of the children and the people who go wild here at the opening of the school year. But we also understand the great strength shown by our residents since October 7th. I repeat that like our downfall, we will rise up, God willing. We are still in sadness but we will revive ourselves and stand strong once again.”
Shachar Biran, who is originally from Kibbutz Nachal Oz, was representing Microsoft handing out chocolate milk and cupcakes to the children. Shachar goes once a week to volunteer at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. She said that it meant a lot to her to see all people of all different backgrounds who came there to show their solidarity. She said, “We sit and we talk and even though everyone has different opinions you feel so connected and a sense of brotherhood. When I speak to people (from the territories) they tell us, don’t listen to the politicians, we are with you, we are together. It warms our hearts and gives us strength.”
Security Officer of Nachal Oz Yogev Onkelin said, “Currently we are opening the school year. What you see behind me and what you see here is because the people of Israel and the residents of Shaar HaNegev chose light and chose life.”
Children and youth from 1st grade and up to 12th grade arrived at the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council’s schools wearing yellow t-shirts; yellow ribbons, bracelets, and pins were given out to the high school children because for everyone, starting the school year while there are still hostages being held in Gaza felt wrong without keeping them fully in mind. Hajbi explained that the opening day was toned down this year out of respect for the trauma of the families and the hostages.
The principal of the Alonim Elementary School Shlomtzion Cohen was wearing a necklace she had made that represents a drop of water. She says it is a “drop of hope; this is what we have today small drops of hope.” Cohen was excited when it started raining gently on the ceremony for the first graders. The children were concerned about the rain, but Cohen was happy to tell them that these are drops of hope. Others at the ceremony agreed that there was deep symbolism in the raindrops. Shaar HaNegev Mayor Yossi Keren remarked that either it’s the heavens crying with us or a symbol of renewal, a new start, and he prefers that latter explanation. Keren also explained that the help from so many people around the world is very significant. He said it is like if one person is pushing a cart versus many people helping.
