Rebuilding Manara: How a Group of Young Israelis is Breathing Life Back Into a War-Torn Kibbutz

Rebuilding Manara: How a Group of Young Israelis is Breathing Life Back Into a War-Torn Kibbutz

In the hills near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, a quiet but powerful movement is taking shape. Manara, a small kibbutz devastated by war, is finding its way back to life through the efforts of a group of determined young adults. These volunteers aren't waiting for government help or foreign funding. They’ve decided to take the rebuilding into their own hands.

During the 14-month war with Hezbollah, Manara suffered extensive damage. The Iranian-backed group targeted the area with rockets and explosive drones, destroying about 75 percent of the kibbutz’s buildings and infrastructure. Like thousands of others from 43 northern communities, Manara’s 260 residents were evacuated by the government.

Since the ceasefire that began in late November 2024, roughly 40 percent of Manara’s residents have returned. But returning is just the first step. Rebuilding daily life is the real challenge.

Uriel Weintrub, a 23-year-old former Egoz unit soldier from Zippori, was among the first to take action. After losing five fellow soldiers in a battle with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, he felt a strong need to do something meaningful. Along with his friend Almog Levanon, also 23, from Ra’anana, he launched *Shuvu Manara*, or “Return to Manara.” The initiative was created to help restore the battered community.

“We’re here to move washing machines, put up shelves, help with babysitting,” Weintrub said one morning over breakfast with the group. None of the ten members originally came from Manara, but they have made the kibbutz their home for now.

They live in a building that was damaged during the war and repaired by their own hands. It’s a modest setup. Three people share each room, and the living and dining areas are furnished with secondhand couches and mismatched chairs. Their military gear is arranged in neat rows near the entrance.

During the day, the group focuses on physical repairs. They’ve already restored the library, opened a small pub, and are now working on an ancient winepress that will become the centerpiece of a new outdoor garden. At night, they take turns standing guard to help keep the area secure.

Levanon says their mission is about more than just fixing what was broken. It’s about restoring the sense of community that once held Manara together.

“We’re part of the kibbutz and we want to continue to live here,” he explained. “If someone needs something, we’re here to help. We’re trying to bring people back.”

In a region still feeling the effects of war, their presence is a quiet but powerful sign of resilience. For Manara, their work could mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, connection, and renewal.