Reviving Border Communities: Dror Israel’s Young Educators Lead the Way

When communities along Israel’s borders were forced to evacuate amid relentless rocket fire and brutal attacks, the future of these once-thriving towns seemed bleak. But a year later, something remarkable is happening. Through Dror Israel’s initiative to establish new educators' communities, dozens of young Israeli educators are moving into border kibbutzim and other hard-hit areas to bring stability, resilience, and support to the region.

The October 7 attacks devastated the kibbutzim along the Gaza border, leaving hundreds dead, homes destroyed, and survivors displaced. For months, these areas lay nearly empty, silent reminders of the trauma that had unfolded. However, with help from Dror Israel, young adults began moving into the kibbutzim in recent weeks, determined to help revive these vulnerable communities and build sustainable, supportive environments for children, families, and returning residents.

The young educators' community settling into life on a Kibbutz. Photo Credit: Eyal Warshavsky

For Dror Israel, this mission began well before recent escalations. In response to years of intermittent conflict and evacuations, Dror Israel saw a need for a committed presence of educators in border areas to provide stability, emotional support, and educational continuity. Following years of operating educational programs in dozens of communties along the Gaza and northern borders, this initiative has expanded, including dozens of young educators who have chosen to live and work in Israel’s most sensitive regions.

Together, they'll deal with challenges of life in the Gaza border area. Photo Credit: Eyal Warshavsky

In the past month, kibbutzim like Mefalsim and Re’im have welcomed their first new residents since the attacks. “We hope we have started the process of rebuilding these communities,” says Moran Laish, a Dror Israel educators organizing the initiative. So far, 35 new arrivals have joined these communities, with many more signing up to live, work, and educate in these border regions. Most will take on educational roles, supporting the region’s youth as they cope with trauma and rebuild their lives. Their presence isn’t just about filling homes; it’s about reigniting the kibbutz dream—a vision of collective living, equality, and resilience that has defined Israel for over a century.

For the remaining residents who survived the attacks, the arrival of these young educators has been transformative. “I saw the happiness of people when they asked me, ‘What? You moved here?’” shares Roni Uzai, a new resident who recently moved from Be’er Sheva to Kibbutz Mefalsim. For many survivors, the presence of new families and young leaders is a source of hope and a powerful reminder that the spirit of these communities is stronger than the tragedies they endured.

Living in these areas is no easy task. Many of the young idealists now calling these kibbutzim home face daily realities of military presence, ongoing security risks, and the painful memories these sites hold. “It’s very pretty, and there are a lot of really great people here… but it wasn’t a paradise on October 7, and this thought hits me at night,” shares Liron Behar, one of the new residents. Still, these young educators are determined to support not only each other but also the wider community, including those who remain evacuated across Israel.

The growing community of Dror Israel educators in Sderot.

These new communities of young educators have not only revived life in border kibbutzim but also strengthened their commitment to ongoing educational and social support in the region. In locations like Sderot, close to the Gaza border, Dror Israel’s educators have expanded their existing community from 60 to 100 members, providing year-round programming and after-school activities for hundreds of local children. This long-term vision is integral to Dror Israel’s work, supporting both immediate needs and building resilience in young people who live in these difficult areas.

Through the establishment of new educators' communities, Dror Israel is helping these devastated border areas regain a sense of normalcy, stability, and hope. By moving into the kibbutzim, training young leaders, and building resilient community structures, these young educators are ensuring that the kibbutz dream lives on. In the face of immense challenges, they embody an unwavering commitment to rebuild and reimagine a future of hope for Israel’s most impacted regions.