The Critically Zionist Podcast Shuki Hartuv and Noam Zuckerman

This week we are sharing a conversation with Adam (Ha Rishon) Rovner who was introduced to Saad when he was on Nativ back in 1988.

We finished the conversation with a message from Adam to the the Kibbutz Saad community:

"To the people that I am in touch with - the Shlomi family in its generations and to Arale and Ronit and their kids -they know me I know them, I don't need to send them a message but I do want to convey to those people on Saad who I don't know or don't know who I am...

This is a beautiful and special place and it pains me to know that people are displaced right now and I can't wait for a time in which Saad can be repopulated and play host to people like myself who don't really have a direction. And give them the sort of push, values modeling that allows people to do something more in their life



That's all I'd say."



Thanks Adam Ha Rishon! Looking forward to seeing you and others in Israel and on Saad soon

Hey Everyone,
This week we are sharing a conversation with Lior Shachar from Garin Tzabar 2011 who started a Phd in Microbiology at the University of Vienna in September.
Listen in as he talks about starting a new stage of his life with such uncertainty in Israel, reflecting on the place Saad played in his relationship with Israel. We recall the special relationship with his Kibbutz family and Garin on Saad, and the example that the ideal that they set for him and others in life.
At the end of the episode, we even had a chance to catch up with his Kibbutz dad Chaim to follow-up on an agricultural collaboration with Lior and hear about life since October 7.
We are starting to experiment with offering in-person and on-site tours and building relationships with the community which can be in-person or virtual to help connect.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to set something up with your family, friends or community and send people who are interested our way!

But if you don’t have time we’ve broken down the episode below.
Best,
Shuki and Noam

Part 1 - Starting a Phd in Vienna with October 7 in the background
Part 2 - Joining the army on Garin Tzabar Saad - Thanks Elie Solimani!
Part 3 - Getting into Biology
Part 4 - Sa’ad’s higher values - a lesson for humanity
Part 5 - Thoughts on sharing Sa’ad’s story
PS… Catching up with Chaim at the potato field

Israel is not worth supporting because the Palestinians are wrong. Israel is right because there are communities like Sa'ad, who even October 7, are taking care of their community, helping others, growing their crops, and making Israel and the world a better place. That's the reason for supporting Israel, because of communities that act to make the world a little bit of a better place.

**The opinions and ideas expressed in this newsletter and podcast episode reflect only the personal opinions of those speaking and not any official opinion from Kibbutz Saad, or anyone else**



It’s been a while since we did a Critically Zionist episode and we wanted to share a project that we are working on.

Join us in this conversation where we begin to delve into the vibrant life and enduring spirit of Kibbutz Sa'ad. We want to explore the community's resilience through the eyes of its members, their connections, and the music that binds them together. Discover how the community of Sa'ad, once a warm and welcoming hub, is navigating the challenges of displacement. 

Today, Hilary Yom-Tov shares her personal odyssey from Aliyah to finding love and building a life in Sa'ad with the challenges as a new Oleh integrating on Kibbutz to preparing for her son Or’s wedding this week while living at a hotel in the Dead Sea.


She opens up about the hurdles of being an outsider and how her involvement with Nativers and music helped her find her place in the community. The episode takes a serious turn as we discuss the Yom-Tov family’s experience on October 7. Hilary reflects on the strength drawn from community support during these trying times.


Tap your feet to the stories of Sa'ad's wedding band and the ensemble that followed. Hilary reminisces about the band's evolution, their community performances, and the personal significance of music in her life as a nurse.


Hear about the current reality of Kibbutz life in a hotel. Despite the noise and lack of privacy, Hilary finds solace in puzzles, and working as a nurse for displaced communities, maybe a metaphor for piecing together the fragmented community.



Tune in to hear how the enduring relationships and the power of music play a pivotal role in the community's journey towards healing and rebuilding. This is a story of a kibbutz not just surviving, but thriving against all odds.

We're talking about celebrating Or Yom Tov's wedding!

If anyone wants to give a gift to the Kibbutz in honor of this happy occasion, here is a link for donations that go straight to the kibbutz: ⁠https://www.jgive.com/new/en/ils/donation-targets/110301/charity⁠

If anyone wants to get in touch about finding a way that you can express your support, please reach out!

Wishing for a better 2024

Best,

Shuki and Noam



Episode Breakdown:


Introducing SaadStories (00:00-5:10)


Hilary's Journey to Sa’ad (05:11-16:35)


From hosted to the resilience of hosting (16:36-32:47)


Musical Ties - (32:48-38:05) 


Life in Transition (38:06-44:05)


Getting ready for Or’s Wedding (44:06-52:54)


Garin Tzabar on Saad (52:55-65:55)


Thoughts on Returning Home (65:56-72:35)


Reflecting on the conversation (72:38-end)



**Disclaimer**

This feed will be rough conversations, raw but hopefully it will be meaningful. If you are looking for that perfect version of a podcast then we're going to ask you to wait a little bit while we're trying to put together this story. We are really enjoying having these conversations with people connected to Saad and think it can be really nice to hear. Please feel free to share feedback, thoughts, and let us know what could be done better. 

Come along for the ride and be a part of this community that really wants Saad and the rest of the Western Negev to get back on their feet and rebuild as fast as possible, so they can continue helping others, helping Israel, and making this world a little bit better

I grew up in Chicago and when I was  21 moved to Israel to live on Kibbutz Saad near Israel’s border with Gaza. After serving in the army, I continued to work on Kibbutz as a farmer 

On Saad, I had the honor to be part of a community living in sight of the border with Gaza, but almost never focusing on hatred or despair. Saad is a bright spot of humanity in an area best known for death and destruction.

It’s a place that taught me about doing what you need to do, what you’re asked to do, what you can do - without looking for recognition or awards.

It’s the place where I improved my day school Hebrew and where I learned Israeli - as a soldier and as a wannabe “kibbutznik” 

At times I lived under attack, but even then, with a sense of security.

Kibbutz Saad is still the place I still consider home in Israel

But, my wife and I decided to raise our family in Jerusalem far from the border with Gaza. 

Kibbutz Saad and other communities like it were a perfect expression of the ability to live under a threat and even in conflict and still work towards positive goals.

Not anymore – and I don’t know what to do. 

These communities were not safe, they were not adequately protected. But, they still protected us

Life near Gaza is F****D

I want to recognize and help the communities near Gaza who have experienced an unimaginable horror and kept the rest of Israel safe.

Can we help civillians next to Gaza overcome hatred, despair and destruction and instead pursue prosperity? 

Their humility may prevent them from seeking assistance, but we can reach out proactively.


We who live in safety in Israel, thanks to their sacrifice


We who support israel from abroad and want to ensure a better future for these communities


We who criticize Israel, but want to support a safe, peaceful and prosperous future for all people near Gaza



This is an invitation to think about these questions as well. To invite friends, family and colleagues to join the conversation as well.



Please reach out if you’d like to join me on this journey.

Praying for better days ahead

Love,

Noam

וְשָׁפַט֙ בֵּ֣ין הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וְהוֹכִ֖יחַ לְעַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְכִתְּת֨וּ חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם לְאִתִּ֗ים וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת לֹא־יִשָּׂ֨א ג֤וֹי אֶל־גּוֹי֙ חֶ֔רֶב וְלֹֽא־יִלְמְד֥וּ ע֖וֹד מִלְחָמָֽה׃ {פ}

Thus [God] will judge among the nations

And arbitrate for the many peoples,

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares

And their spears into pruning hooks:

Nation shall not take up

Sword against nation;

They shall never again know war.

My Israel story started in 2007 at age 16 when I visited Poland and then Israel for the first time.

On Shabbat, we prayed in a historical Jewish synagogue. Jewish teenagers praying freely in Poland before visiting Israel - sometimes the world feels like its on the right course. The beauty and the good, that I felt at the time convinced me to stop cursing and sent me on a path committed to Zionism and a life in Israel.

I grew up in Chicago and at age 21 moved to Israel to live on a religious kibbutz near the border with Gaza. I served as an infantry soldier stationed near Gaza during Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012. After the army, I worked on Kibbutz as a farmer in the open fields, including during Operation Protective Edge in 2014,when I was called up as a reserve soldier.

At times I lived under attack, but even then, with a sense of security.

But, my wife and I decided to raise our family in Jerusalem far from the border with Gaza.


My Zionist journey has never been easy, but it has always felt worthwhile.

Now, it feels F****D and I don’t know what to do.

The only thing I really know is that I want to recognize and help the communities near Gaza who have experienced an unimaginable horror and kept the rest of Israel safe.

With the threat to dissolve the current Knesset on the table the Israeli news cycle is filled with articles about when and how the next elections will turn out. This is a two-part episode discussing the Israeli elections.

Part 1- provides an overview of the past 5 Israeli elections, dating back to 2013. It gives perspective on the major players in today's political field, the parties that are most influential, and the themes that have been at the forefront for the Israeli public.

Part 2- We delve into the issues that are facing the Israeli public as we approach another election. We discuss the question of who supports Netanyahu and who's against him, who's really confused, and how can Israel invite Israeli Arabs to be a bigger part of Israel's political life.

Make sure to subscribe to get updates when we release new episodes.

You can also like and follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/thecriticallyzionistpodcast and subscribe on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskIIR3WcneoU00cJbFQnUA, to see shorter clips of the episodes we post.

Please send us your thoughts, feedback, questions, and suggestions for future episodes at criticallyzionistpodcast@gmail.com

Useful links and resources:

More Info on Israeli Political field from Israel Policy Forum: https://israelpolicyforum.org/elections2/

Haaretz Podcast on Elections (Hebrew): https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%93%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%A1%D7%98-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A5/id1305812824?i=1000502448887

Why are Israeli Generals such terrible politicians? 972 Magazine https://www.972mag.com/israel-generals-politics-gender/

Paradox: Netanyahu now protected by Israeli Arab legislator, Al Monitor https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-mansour-abbas-joint-list-budget.html



Episode image: "Israeli elections billboard in Ramat Gan" by GeorgeDement is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The inscription reads: This time don't vote for "politicians", who the day after the elections will vote you back (middle finger).