As part of a special KKL-JNF initiative to rebuild the Israel Envelope, the burned-down compound will become green again with hundreds of new trees planted in the memory of the 364 party attendees.
Among the event's participants were Ricarda Louk, the mother of Shani Louk who was kidnapped to and murdered in Gaza. Yona Adam, the mother of Mapal Adam who was murdered at the party. Yoram Yehudai, the father of Ron Yehudai who was murdered at the party in Nova while hiding in a container. Sharon Gratziani, the sister of Maor Gratziani who was murdered at the party in Re'im.
On Saturday, October 7, at 6:22, sirens were heard at the festival's compound. A few minutes later, it was decided to close down the party and police officers began evacuating the crowds. At the same time, terrorists began invading Israeli territory. The terrorists have arrived at the compound using pickup trucks and paragliders, and started shooting at the party guests with guns and RPGs, and throw hand grenades. The terrorists murdered many of the party guests and performed dead checking and the compound was burned down. KKL-JNF now works to rebuild the compound, as well as the entire Israel Envelope.
KKL-JNF Chair Ifat Ovadia-Luski: "On October 7, Israel experienced one of its darkest days. The Re'im recreation area, a lively place where hundreds of thousands of travelers came every year, became the place of a terrible massacre. The pain of the victims' families is the pain of all the people of Israel, and we stand with the families. The history of the people of Israel is not only the story of tragedies, but also the story of revivals. In this Tu BiShvat event, we bring a message of rebuilding and growing – we will rise from the ashes and grow new life in Re'im and throughout the Israel Envelope. In every generation, they rise up to destroy us, and we shall recover and grow new life this time too. Everyone among the KKL-JNF's staff are recruited to this national mission, and KKL-JNF will stand at the forefront of rebuilding life again here. Together we shall win."
Meirav and Doron Madar, who came to plant a tree in the memory of their son, the 26-year-old Shahak Yosef Madar, said: "Shahak had five siblings, and he was a student of hotel management and tourism at the Ben Gurion University where he excelled in his studies, and a fighter at the Nahal Brigade. We came here today to plant a tree that will commemorate him, a tree that will rise and grow like Shahak did, full of love, light and happiness. We hope to see the tree, strong and growing, sending its roots deep into the soil. Twelve years ago, we adopted two of Doron's sister's children, and since then we have been the anemone group. It all connects."
Nurit Shalom, whose son Ram was murdered at the party in Nova, said that "Ram, my beloved child, was murdered in the party on October 7. He was a kid of loved life, loved all the people, and always smiled. We returned from the United States two days before the party, and he told me that he was in a party called Nova in the US, and that there is a party like that one in Israel, and that he was going to that party as well, but he never came back from there. Today, I came to the planting, to plant a Eucalyptus tree in his memory, through KKL-JNF who made this tribute that is so moving, it drives to tears. I am at a loss for words to thank KKL-JNF for their incredible initiative and commemoration."