Tehila Nachalon, the Central federation’s representative in Israel, said that federation-supported organizations are helping Israeli communities during the conflict.
Photo by Elaine Durbach
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January 8, 2009
Tehila Nachalon, the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey’s representative in Israel, wrote the following letter to federation executive vice president Stanley Stone on Tuesday:
I wanted to see Sderot and Netivot with my own eyes, so I traveled there on Monday. I was hosted in these two cities by our friends, people working with organizations that receive Central federation support and have close relationships with us: Avi from the local JCC, Ofer from the SOS foundation of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Shlomit from Reut, and Eli from Lev Echad.
My first stop was the Sderot city council’s “war room” — a bomb shelter with maps, communications gear, monitors, and other equipment — where I met with Mayor David Buskila and other senior staff.
I believe Sderot is facing this conflict better prepared — technically, psychologically, and logistically — than ever before. I saw no confusion or panic. People seem to feel relief that finally there is a sense of leadership and ownership over the conflict, which has pounded Sderot for the past eight years. The majority of residents — some 80 percent — are staying in their homes and 60 percent of businesses are open.
I met the head of the fire station, which shares quarters with the IDF’s Home Front Command. This station is responsible both for Sderot — serving as the first responder during Kassam missile attacks, often rescuing people trapped by missiles — and a much wider region.
My next stop was to the Israel Trauma Coalition’s anxiety relief site, where I met its director, psychiatrist Dr. Adrianna Katz. This site serves as a treatment center for those suffering from shock or trauma as a result of a rocket attack. Magen David Adom ambulances bring patients directly to the site, where they are immediately treated by professional staff, who have expertise on the specific conditions associated with post-rocket attack trauma.
I spoke with several women who have received support from ITC’s resilience centers, whose aim is to strengthen the community, identify gaps in the psycho-social field, advance projects for the benefit of both individuals and the community, and establish the infrastructure required for emergency preparedness. The center’s multidisciplinary team provides services to individuals and the community in all avenues. Its mental health component provides support services, treats those who suffer from severe symptoms, and serves those who need short-term guidance and intervention.
The women I spoke with used the center’s hotlines to get “first emotional aid” and spoke very highly of the center’s services.
Day of respite
My next stop was at a public bomb shelter, where volunteers were helping kids with arts and crafts projects; later singers would come to perform for the children.
The Israel Trauma Coalition’s anxiety relief site in Sderot, a treatment center for those suffering from shock or trauma as a result of a rocket attack.
While walking in the streets, I saw many houses which were damaged by Kassam rockets.
My next stop was at the Reut institute, where I was briefed by the director. Their main effort is to take kids out for a day of respite and to find solutions for the children of working mothers since the educational system is not working. During my time there, the alarm announcing incoming missile fire went off four times.
My last stop in Sderot was to meet with some of the 130 Lev Echad volunteers called into the city to help meet civilian needs.
I drove on to Netivot, only 10 minutes away. The general feeling is that Mayor Yehiel Zohar is controlling the situation, that there is a good cooperation between the municipal council and the community organizations, and there is no panic, even though the first casualty of this war was in Netivot.
Again, the alarm went off several times while I was there.
As much as I felt relief when I returned home, I felt sorry to leave my friends behind. They are real heroes, going through these frightening days. They are struggling with fear, economical consequences — businesses are horribly damaged, with no customers — and their kids are at home, with no school, for God knows how long. I believe there is a great need to take the kids out from time to time, for their sake and for their parents’ sake.
May we all hear only good news
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