Next October - It Will Be better: Turning Grief Into Progress
Written by Naomi Miller, MIBA Director of Missions
February 2025 has been a most emotionally turbulent month both here in Israel and for those of you who are closely following the events regarding the return of the hostages. We are celebrating the return of those who have survived their captivity, while mourning the tragedy of those returning in coffins.
If there is one word that has described the Israeli spirit of the last 16 months, it has been resilience. We have seen numerous examples and organizations that address the country’s needs and attention to trauma as well as emotional , economic and physical rebuilding.
The Next October initiative was started by the Shay family who was hit by tragedy when their 21 year old son and brother, Staff Sgt. Yaron Shay, was killed on that horrific day, Saturday October 7, while defending the community of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom from the invasion of Hamas terrorists. Yaron’s father, Yizhar Shay, a prominent Israeli entrepreneur, venture capitalist and former government Minister of Science and Technology, along with his family and other Israeli business leaders, are advancing Israeli innovation by creating a start up in memory of each of the almost 1800 soldiers and civilians killed on October 7.
For the last century, it has been a tradition to help the overly barren Land of Israel grow by, literally, planting seeds, saplings or trees, often in memory of a loved one. Along with mentoring, Next October is also planting, in this case “seed money,” to foster innovation and growth while perpetuating the memory of the fallen.
Learn more at www.nextoctober.org.
