Forest of Renewal, Shuva

In the southern Israeli village of Shuva—on land that has witnessed pain and loss—a new space for life is taking root: the Forest of Renewal, a community food forest dedicated to remembrance, resilience, and healing.

This initiative was born from a deep intention to transform personal and collective grief into a force for regeneration. Every tree planted in the forest will carry a story—of a fallen loved one, a survivor, an act of courage or hope, and the unwavering spirit of the local communities. This is a living forest of memories and of resilience that refuses to be broken.

The Forest of Renewal is designed as a community-centered emotional space, offering workshops, retreats, and therapeutic programs for terror-affected families and local residents. These activities are meant to strengthen both personal and communal resilience, and to support trauma recovery—through nature, togetherness, and reconnection with the land.

The forest will also be open to the broader public, as part of a renewed model of regional tourism in the Gaza envelope. It will offer walking trails, educational visits, and agricultural tours—creating a bridge between local communities and visitors from across the country, centered on nature, memory, and healing.

We have accompanied this project from its earliest moments—developing the concept, shaping the implementation strategy, and now providing close professional support during the forest’s physical creation. The forest is being established on the land of the Pandel family farmstead, led by Gedalia Pandel and his son Yachal. Starting in May 2025, volunteers from Israel and abroad have joined hands to build a forest rooted in life.