The Jewish National Fund USA (JNF-USA), the Israeli Coalition for Trauma, ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation village and the Harvey and Gloria Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center at ADI Negev hosted dozens of organizations at the Negev rehabilitation village on Sunday, May 5, with the pronounced goal of launching a systematic program of synchronized collaboration encompassing all resilience-oriented organizations and communities. The meeting included directors and representatives of regional councils and authorities from the western Negev, along with partners such as the Jewish Agency’s Western Negev Rehabilitation System, Sapir College, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Keren HaYesod, the National Civil Service Authority, Bat Ami, Eretz Chadasha, the Jewish Federation of Canada, Meizam, Wide Therapy, Lotam, and dozens of other organizations engaged in resilience support.
Participants discussed needs and solutions for strengthening resilience, diverse trauma therapies, organization proposals to area residents, and utilizing ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran as the regional service provider to supply Western Negev and Gaza Envelope residents with services needed as a result the Iron Swords War. Emphasis was placed on defining challenges and needs stemming from the ongoing situation and finding the necessary, immediate solutions for a wide range of interlinked dilemmas and complex situations.
The meeting took place as part of “Livnot B”Yachad,” (Build Together), a strategic initiative of JNF-USA, which works to rebuild Israeli communities in the western Negev and the rehabilitate lives of area residents.
Tali Tzur Avner, head of JNF-USA in Israel: “Amidst the pain and the need to persist with routine lives, we understand that the path to restoration demands a collective effort and pooling of resources. Coming together as a community, we recognize the challenges facing the western Negev and understand that no single organization can meet those challenges alone. With collaboration among all service recipients and providers, we will be able to provide solutions and results to thousands of area residents, young and old, and impart a sense of renewal, growth, resilience and community rehabilitation.”
Tali Levanon, CEO of the Israeli Coalition for Trauma: “We are faced with the prospect of joining together to find the best way to understand the situation and the resultant therapeutic needs and to work together with ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran to develop the “Marhivim Nefesh” initiative, which will provide the most comprehensive solution to reinforce, expand and facilitate therapeutic solutions to the full extent necessary.”
Avi Wortzman, CEO, ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation village: “We are pleased to host this important conference under the initiative of our dear friends and partners, JNF-USA, in cooperation with the Israeli Coalition for Trauma. Together, we announce, here at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation village in the Merhavim Regional Council, the onset of the “Marhivim Nefesh” program, an intervention center providing therapy and resources for coping to thousands of children and families from the Gaza Envelope and western Negev, endowing an opportunity for growth, renewal and resilience. This important conference beckons additional organizations and professionals to join us, to cooperate and take part in providing intellectual and innovative emotional solutions and make use of the wonderful spaces and facilities of the ADI Negev village and the entire region.”
