Just ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the trainees traveled to Bitron for their first field mission of the year. They documented the final stages of the moshav's establishment, as well as the activities of Hashomer Hachadash trainees and the founding families on the ground.
Bitron is part of the broader Otef Israel project, which anticipates the establishment of numerous communities along Israel's eastern border.
The Kol-Gai trainees began their year of service approximately two weeks ago at Havat Ron in Arad. The midrasha was established in memory of Staff Sgt. Guy Simchi, who fought against terrorists who infiltrated Kibbutz Re'im during the October 7 massacre.
Hashomer Hachadash established the midrasha together with Simchi's parents, Brig. Gen. (res.) Dedi Simchi and Orit Simchi, who have been closely involved in its establishment and ongoing activities.
The program combines classroom study of Israel advocacy with practical field experience. The trainees' mission at Bitron included documenting the new moshav and creating advocacy material for the Otef Israel project.
Avri Gilad, president of the midrasha and a veteran Channel 12 media personality, said the trainees are being prepared for what he described as a second front in Israel's war.
"Israel is fighting two wars simultaneously," Gilad said, pointing to the military battle against terrorism and a parallel struggle against what he described as fake news, antisemitism and a "well-funded machine of lies" portraying Israel in a dangerously false light.
"The trainees of Kol-Gai will receive all the tools from us to become the best advocates for the State of Israel," he said.
Eli Levi, Hashomer Hachadash spokesperson, former Israel Police spokesperson and coordinator of the trainees' field activities, said his experience as police spokesperson during the October 7 attack showed him the scale of the international information battle surrounding Israel.
Levi said he had witnessed how "big money" was used to promote what he described as a false narrative against Israel and the IDF, adding that the phenomenon grew dramatically after October 7.
"We are here to stop it, halt it, and change reality," Levi said.
The trainees, he added, will study advocacy both in the classroom and in the field, preparing them to serve as ambassadors for Israel and tell the country's story to audiences around the world.
Yoel Zilberman, CEO and founder of Hashomer Hachadash, described the trainees as part of the organization's effort to strengthen Israel's advocacy efforts.
"The trainees of Kol-Gai are a ray of light in the war against the phenomenon of the lie machine that has spread its tentacles all over the world," Zilberman said, adding that they will form part of the "vanguard" of Israel's advocacy efforts in the coming months.
Bitron was established late last week following a joint effort by Hashomer Hachadash, the Jordan Valley Regional Council, the Ministry of Settlement, the Settlement Division, KKL-JNF and the Haim Taieb Foundation.
The founding core consists of approximately 20 families who settled the land following a process of close support from Hashomer Hachadash's Settlement Department, led by Col. (res.) Uri Sapir, the organization's deputy CEO.
Photos of the Kol-Gai trainees at Bitron are available for free use. Credit: Kol-Gai Trainees, Hashomer Hachadash.
Written in collaboration with Hashomer Hachadash