The Grove of the Fallen in Ashkelon, established as part of the “Returning the Spirit” project of the Joint and the Ashkelon Municipality, has become an active public space in the past year that combines memory, community, and renewal. Throughout the year, ceremonies, discussion meetings, and youth activities were held there, with the aim of strengthening the sense of partnership and providing a meaningful space for bereaved families and residents of the city.
On Tu BiShvat day, a planting event was held in the grove, with the participation of Ashkelon residents, youth, soldiers and bereaved families. As part of the event, which was held in cooperation with the Ashkelon Municipality, 99 new trees were planted, as a direct continuation of the grove’s activities, which express growth alongside commemoration.
The Grove of the Fallen – A Place of Living Memory
Since its establishment, the grove has become a central place for commemoration and educational activities in the city. On the eve of last Memorial Day, a special gathering was held there, in which hundreds of youths from the city’s educational institutions came to talk to bereaved families. During the gathering, pictures of the fallen were placed next to the trees planted in their memory, and a city ceremony was held to conclude the significant day.
Other events were also held in the grove, including the Youth Volunteer Exhibition, which presented the work of the city’s youth during the emergency and war period. The exhibition was held in September 2024 at the initiative of the Ministry of Education, as part of a course leading to the Youth Volunteer Award ceremony. As part of the special day, hundreds of youths from all over the country came to the grove, where they learned about volunteer activities in the city, visited the exhibition, and took part in getting to know the place and its significance.
The Continuation of Action and Renewal
The activity in the Grove of the Fallen is part of an ongoing process of strengthening the urban community and creating spaces that encourage remembrance, active participation, and personal and collective resilience. As part of this policy, the Joint and the Ashkelon Municipality continue to develop the grove and integrate educational and community content throughout the year.
The expansion of the grove and its activities is another element of the “Restoring the Spirit” project, which aims to develop public environments that provide a sense of belonging, space for action, and strengthen a sense of resilience in the community. In addition to official municipal events, the grove serves as a daily meeting point for residents, bereaved families, and youth, and offers an infrastructure for informal gatherings and community initiatives.
Through its continued development and implementation of additional activities, the Grove of the Fallen will continue to be a place of connection between generations and strengthening collective memory. Initiatives like these are an example of the importance of ongoing work, which allows residents to take an active part in shaping their environment and turn memory into a living and meaningful action.
