ITC Initiatives in Israel

Resilience Centers

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The 60,000 residents of the Gaza envelope region have faced consistent physical threats and injuries, damage to infrastructure, community-wide trauma and death for the past 10 years. The constant emotional barrage shows its influence in signs of anxiety, depression and PTSD amongst all strata of the population, as well as elevated rates of teenage aggression, diabetes and hypertension. The five Gaza envelope Resilience Centers (in Hof Ashkelon, Sderot, Sha’ar HaNegev, Eshkol and Sedot Negev) have become the central address for immediate, proactive intervention, training and real time relief in the area.

Within the framework of the Resilience Centers, area residents can receive both the trauma therapy they need as well as workshops which strengthen community and build resilience. Keeping in mind the high rate of burnout suffered by caregivers, we also deliver workshops devoted to training professionals in self care.

By creating the Resilience Centers, the focus changed from victim-based trauma to a proactive community approach which places a focus on strengths, resources and a culture of preparedness and mutual help. This model has contributed to the resilience of communities not only in times of crisis but also in times of relative calm and routine.

The immense contribution of the Resilience Centers to stability in the South is possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of Israel, Nedivot-Westchester, the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, JFNA, JEWISHcolorado, CJP, Greater Boston's Jewish Federation, the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Regional Training Centers

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Although the Resilience Centers in the Gaza envelope are an effective answer to ongoing stress and trauma, we brainstormed to create a more scalable nationwide resilience model and thus initiated the regional emergency preparedness programs.

Thanks to the generous donations of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles for the North, Eastern Negev and Jerusalem region training centers as well as JFNA’s generous support for the Western Negev, Central region and upcoming Bedouin training centers, five centers are already operating and one is planned for the coming months.

Our process for establishing a training center begins with grouping and training a cluster of local councils according to regions. Our two year program establishes emergency preparedness programs by initially mapping the unique needs of each local council, proposing an emergency and preparedness plan, and then deploying it in several distinct areas: leadership, education, government, NGO’s in the private sector, caretakers and mental health professionals.

Professional caregivers from neighboring communities together learn therapy techniques and concepts, creating a framework of overlapping skills and ultimately forming a network which speaks the same language and can provide services for each other without relying on external or government assistance

ADEPT Academy

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In conjunction with the Ministry of Defense and HomeFront Command and thanks to the UJA Federation of New York, the ADEPT program (Academy for Domestic Emergency Preparedness and Training) was established to coordinate all entities responsible for resilience and emergency preparedness in Israel. We offer seven different training tracks for key stakeholders who have communal responsibilities in an emergency.

Supporting Caregivers

Southern Region

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Following every escalation in the South, hundreds of professionals and volunteers alike provide care while both working and living in a tense environment. This is called a shared reality. Their roles as caregivers often requires them to absorb the stress of their clients, putting them at risk for burnout.

To mitigate this risk, with the help of the Glazer Foundation, St. Louis, JFNA and Nedivot-Westchester, we implemented workshops for hundreds of front-line caregivers, tailor–made to meet caregivers’ needs. The workshops focused on processing the stressful experiences, and providing emotional support and coping tools. In an effort to advance their resiliency, workshop participants also learned team cohesion and self-care methodology to prevent burnout, secondary trauma and compassion fatigue.

Young Children, WIZO

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WIZO (the Women’s International Zionist Organization) is known for caring for women and children in Israel. WIZO operate 183 day care centers countrywide, offering much more than childcare to over 15,000 babies and toddlers. Children and their caregivers have high exposure to the impact of emergency situations and it is therefore necessary to invest in coping skills and preparedness. ITC facilitate emergency preparedness among WIZO’s network of daycare centers. Initiatives range from emergency kits and psychosocial training of daycare staff to mapping of defensive structures in daycare centers. Future programs include refresher workshops, building an internal first-response team, and training of in-house trainers to further increase the emotional self-sufficiency of WIZO staff. All of these initiatives are made possible due to the support of JFNA and WIZO.

Medical Staff & Hospitals

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Doctors, nurses and other medical staff constantly treat patients who develop physical or emotional symptoms due to the security situation. These professionals identify and refer victims of trauma. In addition, these professionals extend themselves physically and emotionally to help patients in need. This constant giving inevitably leads to burnout. ITC run workshops for medical professionals to provide them with the latest tools for helping patients – and themselves – cope in a healthy manner. These workshops are made possible by the support of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and JFNA.

Culturally-Adapted Resilience Programs

Israel is proudly home to an exceptionally diverse population, and we at ITC strive to ensure that each cultural group receives the customized training and preparedness required to build resilience. Some segments of the Israeli population have their own culturally-specific needs. It is our goal to identify those needs and tailor resilience and training programs to meet them. Those groups include Hareidim (ultra-Orthodox), Bedouin, Arabs and new immigrants.

Culturally Adapted Programs Ultra Orthodox

Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox)

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In partnership with established and respected Orthodox leaders who understand the importance of preparedness, we are working with the ultra-Orthodox community to learn and utilize psycho-social skills in a format adapted and sensitive to their culture and outlook. Keys to success include hosting separate courses for men and women, focus on training the women in emotional first aid and providing tools for the Rabbinic leadership.

Bedouin Community

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The Bedouin of the Negev are a traditional, nomadic Arab tribe, constituting approximately 31% of the total population in the south. While missile attacks and sirens are part of the landscape of every Southern Israeli inhabitant, the feeling of insecurity is even more acute for the Bedouin due to two factors. First, Bedouins populate remote, expansive locations. Second, their communities often lack bomb shelters and safe rooms.

With JFNA, the Rayne Foundation and the Ministry of Agriculture, we began working with the Bedouin community and its leaders three years ago. We started by performing needs analysis on how to train the greater population in coping with trauma and, in addition, build resilience. Based on the results, we began providing psychologists, social workers and child care workers in Bedouin communities with the skills to recognize and regulate the stress and trauma of children and of oneself. In 2016, a Regional Training and Resilience Center was established catering to the Bedouin population, ultimately establishing a system in which Bedouin community becomes self-reliant.

Culturaly Adapted Programs Spirutual Leaders

Spiritual Leaders

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An Imam is the spiritual leader of a Muslim community. An Imam commands communal respect and reverence, resolves community conflict and takes care of the rituals surrounding illness, death and mourning.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and with JFNA, we trained all 400 of Israel’s Imams (as well as Christian and Druze community religious leaders) on how to lead their communities in times of emergency. Topics covered included being the conduit between their communities and the municipality/Home Front Command, building resilience and providing first emotional first aid.

Programs for Vulnerable Populations

People with Disabilities

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People with mental or physical challenges are particularly vulnerable to stress and trauma. We provide sensitive, respectful programs catering to their needs. We work with several independent living facilities to map their emergency needs and current resources and, in response, develop plans and protocols for future preparedness. In addition, we were tasked with preparing the facilities’ teams to work with the target population and their families. These projects are made possible by the generous support of the JFNA.

Youth at Risk

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Adolescence is a difficult stage for everyone, and for teenagers who come of age amidst perpetual trauma and emergencies, the chances of coming through unscathed are much lower. Since this particular age group is most reluctant to attend direct therapy, we made extra efforts toward creating an inviting environment for them.

Programs include a focus on peer groups, psycho-education and coping skills workshops for parents of adolescents and the adolescents themselves, writing and producing movies featuring their own resilient narratives, outdoor activities and volunteer work with the elderly in the community. These critical programs are underwritten by the JFNA.

Contact Us

(972)26722618 | info@itc-office.org.il

We listen. We plan. We respond.

That is why our coalition was founded. If you have any questions, want to become involved or require assistance, please reach out.