By David Bark
SHA’AR HANEGEV, Israel — Just because.
That’s what brought me to Israel on my fourth visit since October 7th. My previous trips were with Federation mission groups – each one deeply meaningful and impactful.
But this time, I came just because.
Sometimes we spontaneously hug our children, just because we love them.
Sometimes we give a loved one flowers, just because we want to share our appreciation.
And that’s why I’m here – no mission, no conference, no formal agenda. Just because I wanted to be with a place and a people I love.
My first stop was Jerusalem, where I took a morning walk to the Kotel. Walking through the Old City never gets “old” for me. My spiritual side is always elevated here, and my prayers – just as they were on my last visit – focused on bringing our hostages home and securing peace for all of Israel. G-d willing, that peace will come soon.
Before leaving for Tel Aviv, I had the privilege of attending the opening plenary of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s (JAFI) Board of Directors gathering. One of our Federation Board Members, Ingram Losner, also attended as an observer (a requirement before officially joining), and I look forward to seeing him soon represent San Diego at the national level. JAFI, supported by Jewish Federations of North America, does extraordinary work for Jewish communities worldwide and in Israel, and I am grateful for our partnership with them.
Whenever I come to Israel, I make it a point to visit our partners in Israel and Sha’ar HaNegev – meeting the people and seeing firsthand the impact San Diego is making, thanks to your generous support.
While our focus remains on rebuilding Sha’ar HaNegev, we are also directing some support to Social Delivery, an incredible organization providing aid to Israelis in need across the country. While they continue to serve Sha’ar HaNegev, much of their current efforts are focused on the North, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced and are just now beginning to return home.
Social Delivery’s model is innovative and deeply effective, and I encourage you to look at the great work they are doing. I visited one of their facilities about an hour north of Tel Aviv, and in true Israeli fashion, they wasted no time putting me to work
I also visited several kibbutzim where our Federation, in partnership with the Leichtag Foundation, has helped bring joy and healing to communities through meaningful projects. Here are just a few highlights (though there is so much more we’re doing!):
Dorot: We helped build a music room, a space for creativity, therapy, and healing. Music is a powerful tool – offering young and old alike a much-needed escape from the outside world.
Bror Hayil: The community is reviving a mini animal play area (a kind of petting zoo), complete with play structures for children and a café for parents. It’s more than just a fun space – it’s a place for emotional healing and reconnection.
Yachini: The moshav just finished building a pub and is hosting a Purim party there in a couple of weeks. While this space is intended for the younger generation, I was assured that mine is still welcome. Who knows? Maybe on my next visit, I’ll get behind the bar and live out my dream job as a bartender.
Kfar Aza (within Ruhama): Our support resulted in the beautification of many common areas around this nearly complete temporary community – transforming sandy areas into greenery with trees, flowers, and herbs. As the residents told us, while it’s not “home” in the way it once was, it’s far better than being scattered across the country. For the first time in months, families feel like a community again, and their spirits are visibly lifted.
If you’ve noticed a theme here, it’s joy. These projects, these photos – they show the beauty of life. And that’s important.
But it doesn’t mean we forget the past or ignore the pain that all Israelis – and Jews around the world – are experiencing in these times. That’s why I also make a point to visit places where the events of October 7th remain raw. Places like Kfar Aza, Nahal Oz, and Sderot, where you can still see, feel, and even smell the devastation of that horrific day. These visits remind me why our work is so critical – not only to ensure Never Again has meaning but to help restore joy to these communities.
We have made incredible progress, but there is still much more to do. Yes, our family in Sha’ar HaNegev is still struggling with the aftermath of October 7th. But after this visit, I’m returning to San Diego with renewed hope and optimism. They are turning a corner. And it is clear that San Diego’s partnership and connection with Sha’ar HaNegev has been instrumental in helping them rebuild their lives.
Over and over, they tell us: just knowing you are here for us makes all the difference. They don’t feel alone. And they never will – not on our watch.
So, thank you – for everything you have done, and for everything I know you will continue to do. Because together, we are making this small corner of the world a bit of heaven on earth.
Just because.
Shabbat Shalom, and an early Chag Sameach as Purim approaches!
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David Bark chairs the board of the Jewish Federation of San Diego.