In times of overwhelming challenges and heart-wrenching tragedies, coming together as a community often creates a sense of hope despite our bruised souls. That’s why we gathered in our office alongside entrepreneurs and enablers from the community to come together to share thoughts and means to provide support to our brothers and sisters in Gaza.
The recent turmoil in Gaza had left an indelible mark on many. Destroyed houses and offices, cherished memories of colleagues no longer with us, and the pause in tales of innovation and growth painted a poignant picture of loss.
One of the most moving segments of the evening was the Sharing Circle. Startup founders, employees from various enablers, and representatives from other institutions came forward, sharing their experiences. Some tales were of loss, others of hope, and many a mix of both. In that room, every story, every voice, was a reminder of our shared humanity and the bonds that adversity can fortify.
From there, we were joined by the psychologist Haneen Ayoub, who explained psychological burnout, and how to navigate the emotional stress from the news and losses. Addressing the attendees, many of whom were shouldering heavy burdens, her insights were not just academic but deeply empathetic.
The gathering wasn’t just about reflection but also action. At the end of the gathering, we brainstormed ideas to come up with ways to provide our support to our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and from there with the help of Sondos Mleitat, we turned those ideas into actionable insights and communal strategies.
As the gathering drew to a close, the message was clear, we are, and will always be, stronger together. The commitment to stay connected, support one another, and build bridges of understanding and collaboration was palpable.