Jewish National Fund-USA: Healing Hearts and Building Resilience in Israel’s Eshkol Region

In the haunting aftermath of October 7th, when the murderous shadows of Hamas terrorists darkened the tranquillity of Kibbutz Be’eri, the Dor family's ordeal unfolded within the confined walls of their security room. For over six harrowing hours, 9-year-old Eitan*  and his 6-year-old sister Lily* hid under a trundle bed, wide-eyed witnesses to their parents' valiant struggle, alternating in holding the handle of the security door against the relentless onslaught of terror.

Fate favored the Dor family that day. They managed to thwart the invaders, safeguarding their home while neighboring families bore the brunt of unspeakable tragedies. Flames consumed one household, claiming lives in a fiery abyss, while another family faced the brutality of bullets as they attempted to escape their incinerated home.

The echoes of that night continue to reverberate through the Dor family's daily life. Evacuated with their community to a hotel in Eilat, a sanctuary from the chaos, one might have expected some respite. Yet, for over 50 days, Eitan remains cocooned within the confines of his room, impervious to the lure of a pool and refusing to leave. Lily, once carefree, now seeks solace on a mattress by her parents' bed, wrestling with the resurgence of childhood fears manifested in bed-wetting.

Their story echoes across the traumatized community of the Gaza Envelope. A community weathered by decades of rocket attacks, terrorist infiltrations, mortar strikes, and fires. Thousands, like the Dor children, grapple with the aftermath of October 7th, seeking solace and healing.

In the wake of this collective trauma, Carey-Lee Tal, the resource coordinator for the non-profit Association for Advancement of Eshkol Region Residents, sheds light on the perpetual anguish afflicting the region. "We have kids suffering from PTSD, without the P," she laments. "There’s nothing ‘post’. The trauma is ongoing."

Responding to this urgent need, the organization, with funds from its steadfast partner Jewish National Fund-USA, dispatched therapists to the hotels and evacuation points, creating havens of healing in basements and empty rooms. Carey-Lee emphasizes the incredible need for supporting, stating, "There isn’t a person living in the Eshkol area who doesn’t know someone who’s missing or has been murdered."

Sarit Sa’ad, at the helm of the Eshkol Regional Council’s Resilience Department, orchestrates tireless efforts to alleviate the suffering of residents. With the support of Jewish National Fund-USA, they established resilience centers in strategic locations, offering crucial services to over 1,000 residents and counting.

The scope of assistance is vast, tailored to the diverse needs of parents, children, youth, and pensioners. Mindfulness workshops, yoga sessions, and video therapy form part of the arsenal deployed. The therapists engage in one-on-one sessions and group therapies, adapting their support to the unique requirements of each individual.

Eshkol communities, scarred by kidnappings and murders, find solace in these therapeutic circles. Sa’ad emphasizes the importance of communal support, helping residents navigate tragedies as a united front.

Even before the conflict, Jewish National Fund-USA, through its Gaza Envelope Task Force, was a stalwart presence, fortifying the region with resilience centers, housing development infrastructure, fortified playgrounds, and medical centers.

Now, as the region grapples with the aftermath of October 7th, funding for these resilience centers and ongoing support for evacuees remain more critical than ever before. 

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* Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.