A Vision for Renewal 
Creativity, Art and Healing, at the heart of Sha'ar HaNegev

 

Imagine a place where creativity becomes the heartbeat of resilience,
where hope takes root in the ashes of heartbreak.
Beit Melachah (Center for Arts and Therapy) at Sha’ar HaNegev is a beacon
of renewal, a sanctuary where a community, tested by unimaginable trauma, can
come together to heal, grow, and rediscover their strength. Here, amidst shared
stories and creative expression, pain will be met with restoration, and trauma will
be transformed into hope.
 

Beit Melachah will be at the heart of this recovery, honoring
past wounds, and illuminating a path forward. It will stand as a testament to
the enduring spirit of Sha’ar HaNegev and the profound partnership with our
community — a space where creativity powers healing and resilience fuels the
strength to rebuild.
Together, we can be the foundation upon which the people of Sha’ar HaNegev
build a future filled with strength and unwavering resilience

Honoring the Legacy
 of Livnat Kutz z"l
Livnat Kutz z"l, an educator, artist, and visionary leader, founded Beit Melacha in 2014, driven by a singular
mission: to help her community heal through the power of art. It became a refuge, offering solace to residents as they expressed their grief, pain, and hope through creativity.

Tragically, Livnat and her family were among the victims of the horrific massacre on October 7th, discovered embracing one another in their final moments. 

From left: Yonatan, Aviv, Rotem, Livnat and Yiftach Kutz

Beit Melachah stands as a tribute to Livnat’s extraordinary legacy. In building this center, we are continuing her life’s mission.

Her vision of a haven for healing lives in every brushstroke, every sculpture, and every
profound moment of recovery that will take place within its walls. We ensure that Livnat’s dream of healing through art will live on, providing hope and renewal to the entire community for generations to
come.

Healing a community in crisis

Since that tragic day, the number of residents reporting trauma-related stress has increased by 700%, underscorig the overwhelming need for a place where they can safely process their pain.

Once a haven of healing and creativity, Beit Melachah building now stands in disrepair, unable to offer the sanctuary it once did. Without the necessary security measures and reinforcements, it can no longer provide a safe space for the community of Sha’ar HaNegev to gather, heal, and restore. In the aftermath of the devastation of October 7th, the urgency for a secure and permanent space has never been greater

The trauma carried by children, teens, and adults alike requires a space
where they feel secure to express, reflect, and rebuild their shattered lives. Beit Melacha will be that home once again—a haven where art, science, restoration, and therapy come together to help Sha’ar HaNegev heal, grow, and move forward. It will offer more than safety; it will provide hope, renewal, and the strength to transform lives.

During the evacuation, satellite Beit Melacha centers opened in several
locations, supported by the Jewish Federation of San Diego, as a crucial part of
the trauma response.

 

A Vision of the Future
Center for Creativity, Art, and Healing

Located on the educational campus, Beit Melacha will serve as a multifunctional hub where art, technology, and therapy intersect to support growth and recovery. Therapy will be seamlessly integrated into the school day, offering thousands of students access to tailored therapeutic support within thoughtfully designed spaces, including therapy rooms and art studios.

After school, the center will become a safe haven for informal education and therapeutic programs, while evenings will welcome community members for both individual and arts-based group therapies like writing, ceramics, and visual arts. Operating in shifts, Beit Melacha will provide accessible, secure spaces for healing to thousands across the community.


A Vision for Hope and Healing
Your support not only helps build Beit Melacha, but also
creates a lasting impact for generations. This center will be a
sanctuary of healing, resilience, and renewal—a place where
the people of Sha’ar HaNegev can find the strength to rebuild
their lives, their community, and their future. Together, we have
the power to provide hope, foster recovery, and ensure that this
community rises stronger than ever before. 

JOIN US
and help Turn the
Dream into Reality