From Darkness to Light
"Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, for though I have fallen, I will rise."
Our Sages teach: From anger comes desire, from agitation comes mercy, from distress comes relief, as it is written: "It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but from it he will be saved"; from distance comes closeness, from falling comes rising, from darkness comes light.
(Yalkut Shimoni, Micah, 556)
Over 15 months—more than 450 days—we have been living in extremes, navigating a reality of “both/and,” striving to find a middle ground. We are now celebrating a second Hanukkah while 100 of our brothers and sisters are held hostage. Who could have imagined?
Amid the challenges, we hold steadfast to hope and pride—hope in humanity and the inspiring sense of community and solidarity that surrounds us, and pride in the moments of light emerging from our meaningful initiatives, which we are excited to share with you. Together, we will act, rebuild, and contribute to the resilience of our beloved country, fostering a Jewish- democratic, and liberal society.
We pray for the safe return of the hostages and wish for all of Am Israel days filled with light and hope.
Conferences in 2024
Annual Conference: "Continuing from Beresheet (the beginning)"
This year’s annual conference for Reshut Harabim’s organizations focused on the theme of “Continuing from Beresheet (the beginning),” together we explored what is the next level we need to reach in the aftermath of great tragedy and crisis. The conference concluded with a communal singing of “Halavai” (“If Only”), a prayerful and hopeful wish for better days, and a commitment to creating them.
Community Conference: "What Has (Not) Changed?"
At the annual Community Conference, we prepared for the High Holidays, a time marked by immense pain as we commemorated a year since the horrific attacks and reflected on the ongoing war. Together, we explored the need for change, sources of strength, and the enduring power of community as an anchor during even the most challenging times. The gathering of diverse communities, each representing a unique identity, provided fresh perspectives and a deeper sense of connection for everyone involved.
More from Reshut Harabim
The Jerusalem Spirit
We held an opening event for “Zot Yerushalayim” and launched the Jerusalem Spirit Volunteer Award, celebrating the city’s incredible volunteerism since the outbreak of the war. This initiative, adopted by the municipality, will now become an annual tradition—a meaningful opportunity to pause, express gratitude for the communal responsibility that fills us with hope for recovery and renewal.
Reshuta Gallery: Contemporary Art in Public Spaces
The Reshuta Gallery harnessed the transformative power of art to create spaces for reflection and healing, benefiting both audiences and artists alike. This year, we hosted thousands of visitors across four exhibitions portraying shifting realities: “Faces,” “A Green Abyss Underneath Me,” “If I Open My Heart to the Rain,” and a pop-up exhibition “Place.” The gallery, located within a cultural and educational hub, transforms its walls into a source of inspiration for visitors and adds a layer of artistic expression to our collective efforts.
The Yachda National Network: Municipal Forums for Israeli Judaism
The Yachda National Network, powered by Reshut Harabim, established in the summer of 2023, was created with the goal of creating a united force for national impact, promoting a Jewish-democratic state. Yachda supports city-based forums that drive social change through partnerships among diverse organizations and communities in the field of Israeli Judaism. These forums work with policymakers to foster social cohesion and tolerance in cities across Israel- Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and the Negev.
“This path begins here.” Even before the ceasefire, amid the war, we launched the Haifa Yachda Forum, in the presence of Deputy Mayor Yossi Shalom. Despite air raid sirens, 20 representatives from local organizations, communities, and initiatives came together for a brainstorming session. We are off to a great start!
High Holidays: “May the Year and Its Blessings Begin”
A year passed, and the war continued, strengthening community resilience became even more important than ever! During the High Holidays, and around October 7th, Reshut Harabim, in collaboration with the Federation of New York, organized a special project to bolster personal and communal resilience through various events open to the public. These events, which involved diverse organizations and communities in Jerusalem and other Yachda cities, attracted nearly 4,000 participants across 34 events nationwide.
Events included; singing circles, family-friendly Sukkah activities, memorial ceremonies, nature healing workshops, discussion and learning sessions, selichot and piyutim, literature and art events, and alternative Kabbalat Shabbat gatherings.
A vast new audience was introduced to the organizations' activities, fostering connections and unity across diverse expressions of Judaism.
Additionally, six curated collections of songs, essays, and artwork addressing the war and resilience reached over 28,200 people digitally.
Beit Kehillot (The Community House)
Two years ago, we established Beit Kehillot in the heart of Kiryat Yovel—a center for spirituality, culture, and innovation. This vibrant hub serves the diverse communities of the neighborhood, religious and secular alike. It operates throughout the week, hosting a variety of activities: weekly meet-ups, a "breathing space" for reservist families with children's activities and a respite for parents, physical fitness and mind-body sessions, a youth learning center, egalitarian prayer services, community gardening in collaboration with neighborhood youth movements, and much more.
On average, 100–150 people, including children, attend Beit Kehillot’s weekly activities.
The Springboard Program for Reservists
This year has been especially challenging, particularly for our reservists. Through our scholarship program, in partnership with the Jerusalem Foundation, student reservists could participate in meaningful activities while receiving reduced scholarship requirements. In no time, 18 students joined the program, balancing studies, reserve duty, and managed to participate in impactful organizational work.
Gratitude
We deeply appreciate the support and partnership of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation, the Gimprich Family, the Jerusalem Foundation, Sapir Center, Jerusalem’s Gvanim Program, the Israel Association of Community Centers, the Leichtag Foundation, the Jewish Agency, especially UJA- The Federation of New York and the Municipality of Jerusalem. And of course, thank you for our deep and meaningful partnership with our network of 40 organizations and communities in Reshut Harabim. Special thank you to our new partners in Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and the Negev.