Due to the ongoing security situation, President Isaac Herzog celebrated the holiday differently by inviting the youth evacuated from the north and south under the title, "Youth Build an Israeli Tomorrow."

The event began on Tuesday morning, the 22nd of Tishre, October 22, and was part of the project "Exchanging Words - The President's Initiatives for a Common Israeli Tomorrow", which deals with reducing polarization and increasing social cohesion and resilience.

The day began with inspiring talks by the Olympic medal-winning Juduko athlete Peter Paltchik and Avishi Regev, a mental counselor for athletes, and of the former reality show 'Race to a Million'.

Afterward, discussion circles were held in the Beit Hanasi gardens led by instructors from various Israeli youth movements.

After a falafel lunch, President Herzog and his wife Michal held an open conversation with the youth. First, they asked where participants were from, then discussed the challenging and upsetting experiences, and their feelings at this complex time, and how to develop a better future.

In the discussion, the president was asked by Avishag, who was evacuated from Kiryat Shmona, what is the most difficult thing about serving as president during a war. The president replied to her: "A president during a war must be there to strengthen the spirit of the people, we have seen a lot of pain, it's no secret. There are bereaved families here who have gone through hell, we see families of abductees, we accompany families of evacuees, we meet wounded people and their families. We are seeing things that we never imagined we would see on this scale because we are living in a difficult and challenging time, a very historical time.

"We also see a strong people, an amazing people. When you say Am Yisrael Chai, you understand it is an amazing nation. The very fact that you are here in such difficult days, of launches, missiles, shelters, and alarms - you are here. And you smile too. It shows what strength our people have and I want to thank you!"

At the conclusion, the President noted: "You are the future leaders of the State of Israel. One day one of you may be sitting here - in this house, which is the house of all the people. We believe in our young generation, you are wonderful people who go through experiences that few other young people in the world go through."

The event began with food from "Cafe Otef", whose founders also spoke during the program. They shared the background and inspiration for establishing the chain. Cafe Otef is a new chain of coffee shops, which opened taking in evacuees from Gaza border communities. The network was established to create community and mental resilience for the evacuees and enable them to work and be employed, to have a future.