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About one hundred architects, interior designers, and architectural professionals from all sectors of Israeli society gathered for a unifying event in support of residents from the north and south whose homes were damaged during the war. The groundbreaking project, “Together at Home,” connects architecture and interior design professionals who provide their services to interested residents free of charge.

Architect Rivka Raanan, who hosted the emotional evening, shared with participants the birth process of this innovative idea: “After the difficult events, I looked for a way to contribute to the victims through my profession. I presented the idea to my father-in-law, Rabbi Shlomo Raanan, chairman of ‘Ayelet Hashachar,’ who is an initiator of bringing hearts together and Israeli unity, and after just a few days, we set out on our mission to bring light to the homes of people whose houses were damaged.”

Vered Solomon-Maman, Chief Architect of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, expressed her amazement at the project, which continues the spirit of volunteering that has been pulsing through the Israeli people since the great breach the country experienced on October 7th. She spoke about the strong desire of the architect community in Israel to mobilize for this initiative for the residents of the south and north.

“The ‘Together at Home’ project indicates the healing process of the people in Israel and moved me in a special way,” Solomon-Maman shared, conveying greetings from the Minister of Construction and Housing and his ministry’s CEO. She announced that under their direction, certificates of appreciation would be awarded to all project participants. “The government provides the framework from above, and you provide the individual care,” concluded the Chief Architect of the Ministry of Construction and Housing.

There wasn’t a dry eye when Amichai Shindler from Kerem Shalom, who was critically wounded on October 7th, told the miracle of his return to life after losing his hands and suffering severe facial injuries from an explosive device placed near his safe room door, as he prevented terrorists from entering and saved his wife and six children with his body. “Until I heard him groaning in pain, I didn’t believe he was alive,” his wife Avital recounted. She shared with those present the difficulty of renovating their apartment and the tremendous assistance the project provides her, thanking “Ayelet Hashachar” organization for their shared journey over many years.

Representing northern residents at the conference, Zami Ravid, manager of the Music Box Museum in Metula, spoke about rescue and preservation, sharing firsthand the war experiences of the town’s residents. He presented his house that was destroyed by bombardments and the extensive destruction in Metula and the area. Ravid shared with attendees a moving picture of closing the circle this past Chanukkah when he lit candles at the entrance of what was once his home, together with the President of Israel and the Regional Commander.

Erez Diner from Kibbutz Sufa, who established the first synagogue there in memory of his son, thanked the architects on behalf of southern residents for their assistance in rehabilitating the area. He detailed the chain of miracles that led to his rescue on Simchas Torah, four years after the synagogue’s dedication, despite his house being marked by terrorists and attacked from all directions. Diner shared about residents’ return process to the kibbutzim, his personal rehabilitation, and the importance of proper home planning in preparation for emergencies in all settlement homes, including those not damaged.

In the professional portion of the evening, journalist Merav Moran, a real estate and urban planning reporter, spoke about her meetings with architects and mayors from around the world and the project’s importance to Israel, connecting it to the weekly Torah portion: “This revolutionary initiative is a light of unity breaking through the terrible disaster.” Architect Hila Shemer, a lecturer at Bezalel participating in the touching initiative, gave participants a professional lecture about the victory of war gardens in home courtyards during wars since World War I, the memorial courtyard in Nir Oz she was involved with, and the implications for current post-war planning.

Shira Idan, an architect participating in the project who has already renovated damaged homes through the initiative, shared her experience with professional colleagues regarding challenges and solutions in renovating damaged homes and the moving responses. Rabbi Shlomo Raanan, chairman of “Ayelet Hashachar” behind the project, said during the conference, “Our goal is to bring light and warmth to damaged homes, both literally and figuratively, and to assist as much as possible anyone whose home was damaged and needs help and support. Additionally, the project connects all parts of Israeli society and is part of the process of healing rifts in the country that we love.”

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