Israel’s Women Show Resilience With a Festival Dedicated to Self-Love
Tel Aviv is a vibrant thriving city that is known for its café lifestyle, the beach, and its many festivals. On July 31, 2025, a different type of festival occurred, one that was designed to unite native Israelis with new olim – immigrants to Israel – to celebrate resilience, community and the empowerment of women.
Following the 12-day conflict with Iran, it was clear that the city had to take steps to help the community return to normalcy, reported The Jerusalem Post. The HER Tel Aviv Summer Love Yourself Festival on Tel Aviv’s exciting Sheinkin Street was a collaboration between HER Tel Aviv – an organization that supports 3,000 new immigrants –, the Tel Aviv Municipality, Beit Tami, and Nefesh B’Nefesh – an organization that brings and supports new immigrants from North America.
At a time when many people are still struggling with the aftermath of the war, the festival was urgently needed, according to Sivan Hadari Avneri, founder of HER Tel Aviv and a new immigrant from New York.
“The need to connect the olim and Israeli community and uplift spirits in Israel is extremely important right now for the people of this country and for those who have chosen to make Israel their home,” she told The Jerusalem Post.
About the Festival
The festival was a female-led experience that attracted thousands of participants despite the hot muggy weather, according to JFeed. The headliner of the event was Esther Laura Guedj, a 28-year-old French-Israeli singer as well as other performers.
“It’s an initiative for empowering women, and I really love this. We need to support each other, as sisters. It was very easy to say yes to this event,” Guedj told JFeed. “Us performers are all volunteers at the Festival, and this opportunity is really something about creating a space for us, olot chadashot (new women immigrants).”
But the festival was about more than just music. There were artistic showcases, workshops, a market that featured 60 female entrepreneurs and of course food vendors. Most of the programming was offered in English with some sessions in French and Spanish. All the events were designed to build community in these difficult times.
The Importance of Community Building
Community is very important for people who have experienced trauma and loss or are feeling isolated, according to a blog on Psychology Today. That’s why the festival was so important for people who may not have established a community yet.
Building connections with people who share your values is a way to help reduce stress and isolation. This can show you that you are not alone, that other people have experienced the same trauma and that together you can build resilience, healing, and community.
