Festimama

What is Festimama? Festimama was born from the place that seeks growth from pain and a desire to celebrate life, alongside connection and gathering for mothers, through the creation of a healing, feminine space that encourages creativity, renewal, and replenishment. The first Festimama event took place in June 2023. The second festival was scheduled to expand and occur in October 2023, but October 7th changed everything. Instead of celebrating, we were uprooted from our homes, lost families, friends, an entire community—and among them, my dear friend, Shiri Silverman Bibas, who was an integral part of both my journey and Festimama itself. Shiri was the listening ear, partner in dreams, encourager, and believer. The pain of her loss became a profound need to transform heartbreak into meaning. Thus, Festimama was reborn, not as an event of mourning, but as a festival of life and hope for mothers and women from across the country, and especially from the Gaza border region, exactly as Shiri would have wished. Festimama 2025 aims to grow and expand, realizing Shiri’s heartfelt wish and spirit - to widen the circle for many women seeking and needing this healing space, particularly during the difficult and complex period we are experiencing. Festimama 2025 will take place at Kfar Hanokdim between October 17th-18th. In the very month when the earth shifted beneath our feet, and we lost so much, we choose to rise, unite, and celebrate life. What awaits at Festimama? - Performances by well-known female singers and artists. - A variety of workshops and lectures by artists and experts. - Creative exhibitions, marketplaces, and booths. - Food and beverage areas showcasing local businesses from the Gaza border region. - Lodging and camping area. - A moving exhibition sharing the personal stories of women and mothers from Nir Oz. How can you help? The production of the festival is estimated at approximately 1 million NIS. To realize this dream, we need partners who wish to take part in something profound, emotional, and transformative. Your support will allow us to commemorate and honor Shiri’s memory through meaningful action, resilience, and joy, as she lived her life. for more info: festimama2023@gmail.com A little about me: My name is Dalit Ram-Aharon, a resident of Nir Oz, a mother, educator, lecturer, and social entrepreneur. Since October 7th, another title has been added to my life: Survivor of the massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz. My family and I survived many long hours in a shelter under heavy fire during the worst Saturday of our lives. I lost close family, neighbors, and friends - including my dear friend, Shiri Silverman Bibas, who was my partner in educational and social projects. The first Festimama, launched in summer 2023, was born from my story and Shiri’s, combining growth from personal fracture and the search for self within motherhood. The vision of Festimama seeks to spread Shiri's light, the feminine spirit, resilience, and our collective light! Join us on a journey of growth, hope, and healing, carrying forward Shiri’s spirit and light. This vision has attracted more and more people, companies, women impacted by October 7th, 2023, and who have risen upas well as the production team from the 'IndieNegev' festival, one of Israel’s largest and longest-running cultural events, hosted in the Eshkol Regional Council. The festival is non-profit, with all proceeds dedicated to the ongoing commemoration and memory of Shiri Silverman Bibas. The event is being held with the blessing of the Bibas and Silverman families - Yarden Bibas and Dana Silverman Seton in particular. Every contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in making Festimama 2025 a reality.