Dear Friends,
In a few days, we’ll all be sitting down for the Pesach Seder. We’ll begin by remembering our historic suffering and end with singing next year in Jerusalem. Every year we are reminded that we cannot truly appreciate redemption without first reflecting on the struggles that came before. This year, as we prepare to return to normal life, we have the added opportunity to reflect on what the difficult experience of Covid-19 has shown us as well.
Over the past year, we’ve seen that the stress of the pandemic has left more people than ever in need of emotional health support. In our new clinic in Beit Shemesh, we’re servicing hundreds of individuals despite only having opened 6 months ago. Our therapists report that children’s readjustment to school has exacerbated emotional challenges which are only now coming to light. As we develop new relationships, community leaders from across the country are requesting more services. And so, as 2021 begins, thanks to your support, Kav L’Noar continues to build innovative programs, develop new relationships, and grow our services in order to ensure that families and communities have somewhere to turn to for their emotional health needs.
We’re kicking off our new community Rabbi training program, allowing them to better listen to and understand the needs of their communities, and to direct the families therein toward the proper care and treatment they require.
Also on the horizon is our long-held dream to complete the pivot of our Jerusalem clinic to be fully funded by the Kupot Cholim (HMOs). Now that we have the resources to make it happen, we look forward to serving 400 clients by year’s end and 1000 clients by the end of 2022.
On a more playful note, I’m excited to share a card game put together by our clinical team. The game is meant to engender dialogue, comfort, connection, and awareness around emotional health for families and communities, including yours as well as our 500 clients’, in a fun and engaging way. We really enjoyed playing it, let us know what you think!
I am grateful to be on this journey towards a more resilient future together with all of the families and communities we serve, the organizations we partner with, and our incredible staff. It is with this excitement that I ask you to continue to be a part of our journey too. We could not do our work without your support. Please donate today and help us build ever more resilient communities and a stronger future here in Israel.
Thank you as always for your generosity and friendship, and I wish you and your loved ones a chag kasher v’sameach
Ellie