A Day in the South

This week, we spent a day traveling through the south, visiting several places connected to the events of October 7th. It was challenging, emotional, and something we’re all still processing.

We began at a lookout point near the Gaza border. From there, we could see the landscape and better understand what it means to live so close to the border. At a nearby playground, bomb shelters sat beside swing sets and slides—a clear reminder of what life looks like for children growing up in that area. We sat and had a long, thoughtful conversation about security, responsibility, and the choices countries make when trying to protect their people.

Later, we visited a kibbutz that had been attacked. Residents shared their stories—what they experienced that day and what came after. Listening to them made everything feel much more real.

We also walked through a memorial made up of burned and bullet-ridden cars from the Nova music festival and the surrounding roads. The silence there spoke for itself.

Our final stop was the Nova site itself. The area is now a memorial space—filled with photos, notes, candles, and artwork from friends and families of those who were killed. We took time to walk through it, read the names, journal, and sit with what we were feeling. Some of us cried. All of us were moved.

It was a difficult day, but a necessary one. Being there, hearing people’s stories, and seeing the places with our own eyes helped us connect to what we’ve learned in a much deeper way.