Artist Reflections Located near the communities bordering Gaza and considered the first modern Jewish kibbutz in the Negev, visiting the agricultural lands of Kibbutz Ruhama just a few months after October 7th carried an incredibly stark contrast. On the one hand - endless peaceful serenity of the rolling hills, and on the other hand - the ringing of ongoing blasts of war in the distance. This contrast presented me with a choice: to focus on the darkness and pain, or to focus on the light by experiencing the compassion of the Almighty in the beauty of the world around me. It is my hope that this piece titled Compassion encourages all of us to focus on the light and connect with the Land of Israel through strength, gratitude, dignity, and hope.