In the Western Negev, in the southern region of Israel, thriving communities flourished beneath the open skies – kibbutzim, moshavim, and cities that chose to build their homes along the Gaza border.
Over the past two decades, the residents of this area have endured relentless terror: rockets, drones, and devastating events, culminating in the tragic events of October 7, when 1,400 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage by Hamas. Today, many residents of the Western Negev cannot return to their homes. Some have lost their physical homes, while others struggle with the trauma of what they have lived through.
The “Personal Journey” organization was established to help with mental healing and recovery, giving residents the strength to rebuild their lives. Through creating podcasts, capturing photos, and writing, they learn to tell their personal stories and the story of the Western Negev. This is a journey of hope, healing, and support.
We invite you to join them on this journey. To Donate, support, and be part of a fundamental change. Every contribution, no matter the amount, can make a significant difference.
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It’s been more than a month that I’ve been searching for you.
For more than a month, it hurts to breathe.
For more than a month, you are not here to hug me or be my dad.
The moment when everything was lost,
She was a researcher and lecturer at Sapir Academi College, specializing in communication, journalism, and radio. Within the Department of Communication at Sapir Academic College, she held various positions, including Head of the Multimedia Track, Head of the Radio Track, and Chair of the Department of Communication. Previously, Soker led the education programs at the Mount Herzl Educational Center, affiliated with the Jewish Agency, and directed the Department of Education and Society Programs at the Rabin Center. Soker is also recognized for her contributions as a social activist.
He is a Researcher and Lecturer at Sapir Academic College, with expertise in the democracy crisis, political communication, and political thought. He has led a joint project with the University of Bremen in Germany for seven years, focusing on life in the Gaza Envelope area, center-periphery relations, and inclusion and exclusion issues. Bentman developed educational and societal programs at the Rabin Center and a Technological Education Center. He was an Assistant Research Coordinator at the Israel Democracy Institute in the Knesset committees.
She is a podcast creator and editor in Hebrew and English, specializing in social storytelling. Abramovich holds a B.A. in Communication from the Department of Communication at Sapir College, where she specialized in radio and podcasting, and a Master’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology with a specialization in Organizational Sociology from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In recent years, she has lived in Kibbutz Mefalsim in the Gaza envelope within the Western Negev.
He is a Senior Editor at the Yedioth Ahronoth Media Grup, publisher of Ynet, the Israeli leading online news destination. Itzhayek manages and facilitates training programs in digital journalism in collaboration with community and societal organizations. A pioneer of online content in the country, Itzhayek was one of the founders of Ynet and its channels and served for about a decade as the deputy editor-in-chief. He is also a member of the judging panel of Local Testimony, the most prestigious Israeli museum-based photojournalism exhibition, and a faculty member in the Communication Department at Sapir College, heading the Digital Journalism track.
He is a senior commentator on American politics, society, and culture in Haaretz newspaper. Slyomovics Holds a master’s degree in general history, specializing in American Studies from Tel Aviv University. Slyomovics is a faculty member in the Department of Communication at the University of Haifa, where he teaches all journalism subjects and edits the Container Project of the Communication Department. Previously, he served as the head of the journalism track at Sapir Academic College’s Department of Communication. In that role, he initiated and developed various journalistic projects.
Kazir holds a B.A. degree in communication from the Department of Communication at Sapir College, where she specialized in radio and podcasting and served on the staff of the educational radio station ‘Kol HaNegev.’ She also worked as the chief producer in the culture and entertainment department at Ynet. She was born and raised in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in the Gaza Envelope and studied at the Sha’ar Hanegev school in that area. Kazir’s family resided in Kibbutz Kfar Aza until October 7, when Hamas terrorists murdered her father, David (Katzko) Kazir.
He serves as a correspondent for the IDF’s Galei Tzahal in Israel’s southern district and as a producer and host of the What Happens Tomorrow podcast. His expertise extends to developing and instructing on radio and podcasts. Shani has facilitated workshops for various organizations. He actively volunteers in civic assistance groups. On October 7, Shani saved numerous attendees at the Nova Festival in Gaza Envelope in the Western Negev.
He holds a B.A. in music from the New School’s School of Jazz in New York. He also hold a B.A. degree from the Communication Department at Sapir College, specializing in Digital Journalism. Currently, Segal combines his two areas of expertise: he serves as a content editor at the Public Broadcasting Corporation and coordinates the digital magazine “Spirala” at Sapir College. Additionally, he teaches Music. During his studies, Segal resided in Kibbutz Mefalsim in the Gaza Envelope within the Western Negev.
She holds Master’s degrees with Honors in Public Policy from Sapir College and Jewish Culture and Israeli Leadership from the Schechter Institute. She founded and managed the Urban Resilience Center in Ofakim during Operation Pillar of Defense and Operation Protective Edge. Zchut is the CEO of the Community Resilience Ofakim Association. Since October 7th, 2023, she has launched and led projects to rehabilitate and empower Ofakim’s residents, focusing mainly on victims and their families.
A man of words and melodies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Communication at Sapir Academic College. He is a columnist, creator, music editor, and radio broadcaster. He participated in the “Creating in the Negev” project by the Rimon School and the Miraz Foundation, and in 2018, he released his first solo album. The jingle for the podcasts is from the song “Autumn Winds,” featured on this album (arranged and produced by Uzi Katz).
