Healing Israel Begins With Israel’s Families
The invisible wounds of war tear at the fabric of families and communities.
Since October 7, IDF reservists—especially those in elite units—have been serving under extreme conditions for months at a time, often with no contact with their families. Their spouses are left alone to hold together the home, the children, and the emotional weight of war.
There is no long-term therapeutic infrastructure in Israel to support these families. Marriages are collapsing under the strain. The psychological cost is mounting.
Families bear the weight of fear, absence, and uncertainty. These invisible wounds don’t just impact individuals—they fracture relationships and tear at the fabric of communities.
When the cornerstone of family begins to crumble, the ripple effects threaten the stability of an entire nation.
The Orot Healing Couples Initiative was created to address this crisis—providing yearlong, trauma-informed therapeutic care for IDF reservists and their partners, before it's too late.The Orot Healing Couples Initiative addresses an urgent and neglected need: the emotional strain and collapsing marriages of IDF reservists and their spouses.
Restoring Hope: A Journey from Darkness into Light
We are proud to introduce a groundbreaking year-long therapeutic program designed to heal the unseen wounds of Israel’s soldiers and their families.
In collaboration with Dr. Leetal Caidar Benzvi, a leading expert in trauma recovery, this yearlong program combines individual and couples therapy, group workshops, an immersive healing retreat, and sustained therapeutic support to create a transformative path forward. Together, we aim to restore lives, rebuild families, and renew hope.
"The gaps between us feel immense. When I finally returned, we struggled to communicate, which shook our relationship. We are newlyweds, but even though it’s only been six months since I was last in Gaza, it feels like a lifetime. The fear of future deployments or crises still lingers. We need help."
Our Innovative Solution
This program is built on two pillars: immersive healing as a community, and sustained yearlong support—a combination that offers couples a lifeline back to connection, strength, and hope.
Year-Long Support
In Israel, participants experience:
Individual and couples therapy: Ongoing support from the same therapists ensures momentum and progress.
Monthly therapeutic workshops: These gatherings reinforce healing practices, provide a sense of community, and strengthen family bonds.
Family-centered programs: Using both traditional methods innovative expressive arts therapy, families find new ways to connect and heal together.
Transformative Retreat
The journey includes a 10-day retreat in California, away from the trauma triggers, and an opportunity to rediscover each other. Studies show that leaving one's usual environment is one of the most powerful ways to initiate lasting change. During these ten days, soldiers and their spouses will begin the transformative work of reconnecting and healing.
"We desperately want to reconnect—with ourselves, with our love, and with the meaning we share as a couple. We also hope to gain a lot from the group dynamic. We believe that the group process is a crucial part of this journey."
At this retreat, participants experience:
A safe, nurturing environment: Complete removal from trauma triggers to focus on healing.
Intensive therapeutic work: Guided by highly trained Israeli therapists, soldiers and their spouses begin the deep work of reconnecting and healing.
Formation of lasting support networks: Bonds formed during the retreat create a foundation for long-term recovery.
This retreat is more than just a break from routine. It’s a life-changing experience that sets the stage for rebuilding relationships and rediscovering hope.
"This program came to us at just the right moment—during a very difficult period at home. The opportunity to share this experience with other couples going through similar challenges adds another layer of support. It offers a sense of belonging, openness, and a space where we can fully commit to the process."
This yearlong structure ensures that families in pain are never alone on their path to recovery.
Together, as a community of couples trying to find their way back to each other, they realize that they are not alone. They form lasting bonds with others who understand their journey, creating a support system that extend beyond the program itself.
The ripple effect of healing is powerful. Together, we can restore the foundation of society—one soldier, one family at a time.
The Power of Your Support
Each donation provides reservist couples with the tools to heal, reconnect, and rebuild. It’s an investment in hope, resilience, and the future of Israeli society.
Program Costs
The total cost per participant is $9,000, which covers:
Intensive 10-day California retreat
Year-long direct therapy program in Israel
Six therapeutic workshops in Israel
For the first group of 30 participants, the total annual program cost is approximately $250,000.
How You Can Help
Your support transforms trauma into resilience and isolation into connection. All donations help support our soldiers and their families! Sponsorship levels include:
One couple’s full year program: $17,000
One soldier’s full year program: $9,000
Orot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible. EIN: 33-1701346
Join us in restoring hope, healing families, and strengthening society.
Contact us to learn more or make a donation:
Email: OrotHealing@gmail.com
Phone/Text/WhatsApp: 917.322.1935
100% of your donation goes to program costs.