The community of Eliav was established in 2008 and is situated between Be’er Sheva and Kiryat Gat. Eliav is home to 200 families, including 700 children, who are both religious and secular, with a diverse array of opinions, professions, and backgrounds.
Located 30 kilometers from Gaza on one side, and just 300 meters from the security fence with Judea and Samaria (West Bank) on the other, Eliav lies in close proximity to 2 Arab villages that are known for supporting Hamas and aiding terrorists. While the security standards in Eliav were thought to be adequate, the events of October 7th have demonstrated how exposed and vulnerable the community is.
Eliav has a team of volunteer first responders who are trained to react to emergencies, however this team lacks the basic equipment needed to protect residents. The Israeli army is not currently guarding Eliav, and the closest police presence is 30 minutes away. During this time of heightened terrorist threats, no one other than the nominally equipped local residents are available to defend against an infiltration.
Overcoming Adversity
Dr. Ilana Kwartin is an Eliav resident and head of their newly established War Room. Kwartin is an expert in the field of Women’s Rights. She authored the book “Imprisoned: Women in Extreme Controlling Relationships”. She has a PhD and is the founder and CEO of Levana.ai, the world’s leading Network-Driven Precision Medicine Platform for Women. She is also a wife and mother of 4.
Born in Moscow to refusnik parents, Kwartin made aliyah in 1987. A deeply-committed Zionist, she was thrilled to be part of Eliav from the beginning. Kwartin and her husband were enthusiastic about the opportunity to build a new community in Israel.
Dr. Kwartin explained that Eliav is not getting any support from either the local or national Israeli government at this time. Eliav is in range of missiles from Gaza, and so every home is equipped with a safe room. Their community is guarded by a fence and gate, which are not enough to protect against an infiltration.
Currently, half of the adults in the community have been called up to join the war, leaving the rest as single parents. There are no schools, stores, or services in Eliav, so families have to drive to Kiryat Gat or Be’er Sheva to do basic errands and get their children to school, when it is in service.
Redefining Self Defense
Eliav has reached out to the army, the police, and the media, to share their concerns about their vulnerability. They are acutely aware that they could be the target of the next infiltration. When their outreach was met with a directive to do what they could to prepare defense measures for themselves, the people of Eliav got to work. They developed a War Room, which Kwartin now heads. They recruited volunteers, mapped their needs, and launched a fundraising campaign to purchase tactical and defensive equipment.
The volunteers of Eliav have established observation posts that are guarded by unarmed teenagers who are prepared to alert first responders to any unusual activity. They have created a rotation of first responders who are on-site and available 24-7, despite their other work and family obligations. They have advanced collaborations with local organizations who can help secure drones, cameras, and additional tech support. And they’ve organized shifts in the War Room where women coordinate information and direct volunteers.
The people of Eliav recognize that their safety is in their own hands. They are prepared to work hard and defend themselves. Kwartin and her neighbors have successfully begun raising funds to procure the necessary equipment, but more is still needed to enhance their level of preparedness. The community of Eliav is in need of radios and communication devices, binoculars, protective gear, road barriers, medical supplies, sensors, and cameras, to further secure the town.
Dr. Ilana Kwartin sums it up: “I’ve absorbed Zionism from my mother’s milk, through our aliyah to Israel before the fall of the Iron Curtain, in my days as an emissary of Israel to the United States and in recent years through the growth of the Eliav community. Living in this region isn’t easy, but we are undeterred. We just need the means to be able to defend ourselves.
The Project:
The Eliav community is raising $300,000 to procure necessary equipment to protect their community. Their entire community of volunteers is committed to protecting their homes and ensuring their safety.
How to Give:
The Eliav Community has teamed up with IsraelGives to provide donors with tax deductible receipts in the USA, Canada, UK, France and Australia. Click here to donate
Kosher Status:
Government funds for rapid-response teams only cover the most basic direct needs, while Eliav’s actual security needs include many items not covered by the government. Eliav was founded as an agricultural moshav (community) in 2003. Their registered cooperative association is not tax deductible, so they have partnered with the IsraelGives Foundation. The IsraelGives FundMe platform does not charge overhead, though there is a 2.9% credit card transaction fee.
Fine Print:
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