Join us for Shabbat services beginning at 9:30am, and after kiddush for an in-depth discussion with guests Hugo Wolaj and Nieve Higgins, residents of Kibbutz Be'eri.  They will talk about their experience and the rebuilding of Kibbutz Be'eri in the aftermath of October 7.

In-person and Livestream

About our guests

Hugo Wolaj - Resource Development Team - Kibbutz Be'eri Mission to the US and Canada
Hugo Wolaj was born in Santa Fe, Argentina, to an entrepreneurial father who was also the president of the Jewish community in the district. When he was five, his father passed away unexpectedly, and his mother fulfilled her dream of making Aliyah, with her five children. At 15, Hugo decided to join Kibbutz Be'eri, which has embraced him ever since. Hugo is privileged to live with his family in the "Piece of Eden" corner of Be'eri.

Hugo is married to Shani, and they are parents to three daughters: Tamar (16), Yael (14), and Ella (12). On the "Black Saturday," they entered the security room in their house around 6:30am and remained there for over 20 hours, evacuated by the brave soldiers of the IDF. Throughout the day, through WhatsApp, they were aware of the horrors occurring in the Kibbutz and feared for their lives and the lives of their friends. The sound of gunfire outside the window never ceased, but fortunately, the terrorists did not breach their home.

Hugo held several roles throughout his professional life. Most of his positions were in education within formal and informal frameworks. As of today, aside from being a member of the resource development team, he teaches and mentors students from the council (including Be'eri) who have been relocated to the Dead Sea area. Additionally, Hugo serves on the kibbutz's education committee, where he is planning the reconstruction of the kibbutz's educational center, which was severely impacted by the "Black Saturday." Be'eri's educational center is the heart of the community and only when the children return to informal experiences and playground play can we say that we are returning home.

Nieve Higgins - Resource Development Team - Kibbutz Be'eri Mission to the US and Canada
Nieve Higgins was born, raised, and educated in Kibbutz Be'eri. He is married to Leor, whom he met on the kibbutz in his younger years. Nieve is responsible for the advocacy, fundraising, and resource development efforts for Kibbutz Be’eri. In recent years, Nieve has developed a career in software sales, working in the Israeli start-up & tech ecosystem while living in Tel Aviv. Following October 7th, he decided to put his career on hold to help rebuild Be’eri, the home he plans to settle.  Before tech, Nieve worked in Be’eri Print, the prominent printing company owned by the kibbutz. There, he learned the fundamentals of business development, client management, and sales, as well as the value-based principles Be’eri relies on each day.  Nieve served in the military as a combatant in the "Maglan" elite reconnaissance unit and participated in multiple ground operations in Gaza, including Protective Edge operation in 2014 as a younger soldier and the current Swords of Iron War as a reservist. 

October 7th was a life-changing event for Nieve. Since he was not in Be’eri during the attack, he was called to duty with his reserve unit and began fighting in another kibbutz. This was particularly challenging as he was simultaneously worried about his family in Be’eri under active attack. Unfortunately, his aunt did not survive and was murdered in her home.  Nieve never expected to participate in another war on his home front, 10 years after his compulsory service. Working for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the kibbutz is both a privilege and a duty for him, until Kibbutz Be'eri thrives again. 

Nieve holds a B.A. in Business Administration, specialized in International Business, from the College of Management Academic Studies.