ONE YEAR LATER
It all feels like a bad dream, and we can’t wake up. The one-year anniversary of October 7 has come and gone, and as we write this message, 101 hostages are still in Gaza — their fate unknown. In solidarity with Israel, we will visit from January 16–30 as part of an international delegation of WIZO representatives.
Since our last issue of ORAH, Tova Train became CHW’s 27th National President. She was installed at the AGM, where CHW hosted two guests from Hadassah International: Jorge Diener, Executive Director, and Shlomo Demma, recovering IDF soldier who was wounded in Gaza. CHW also held two successful campaigns: S.O.S (Starting Over Safely) to empower victims of domestic violence and trauma, and HEALING YOUNG MINDS to address the growing mental health needs for youth in Israel. This year, our campaigns funded projects in Israel and Canada that address the tsunami of mental health issues, particularly PTSD and trauma, supporting at-risk children, women, and families in a time of urgent need.
To address the growing interest in community building and engagement, CHW held numerous events across the country. Our events, which included webinars, walks, luncheons, games days, and intimate parlour events, were all designed to attract both young and mature supporters. We remain a multigenerational organization dedicated to Zionism.
Your support and engagement inspire us every day. In this issue of ORAH, we strive to bring you thought-provoking
Tova Train National President
articles, captivating stories, and insights that resonate with your experiences.
As you flip through the pages of this edition, which highlights the impact CHW had over the last year thanks to your support, we hope you find inspiration, and perhaps a fresh perspective. We love hearing from you, so feel free to share your thoughts and feedback with us.
As always, we are deeply grateful for your generous support. Your contributions make a significant impact, fueling our mission and enabling us to create lasting change in the community.
Every dollar you donate helps us provide essential resources, empower individuals, and bring hope to those in need. Your belief in our cause inspires us to strive for excellence and to dream bigger.
Together, we are not just making a difference; we are transforming lives. Let’s continue to create a brighter future, hand in hand.
Everything we do is possible with your steadfast support and for that we are so very grateful. If you plan to travel to Israel during 2025, please let us know so that we can arrange for you to visit any of our projects.
Thank you for your philanthropy today and always.
Am Israel Chai.
Warm regards,
Lisa Colt-Kotler Chief Executive Officer
TABLE OF
Featured Supporters & Volunteers
ANNOUNCING CHW BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NEW MEMBERS AND POSITIONS FOR 2024-2025
A NEW LIGHT AT CHW: CHW TORONTO NOVA CHAPTER
CHW LILLIAN FREIMAN AWARDS PRESENTED TO DONORS ACROSS CANADA
CHW COAST TO COAST: EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS
Impact Stories
BAKED WITH LOVE: FROM CHW NETANYA TECHNOLOGICAL HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATION CATALYST: FROM HAC’S THE BLENDER ALL THANKS TO YOU: FROM NERI BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT HAIFA UNIVERSITY ON THE FRONT LINES: FROM HADASSAH HOSPITAL HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: FROM SHAMIR MEDICAL CENTER BACK IN THE SADDLE: FROM CHW NAHALAL YOUTH VILLAGE
A QUIET PLACE IN A LOUD WORLD: FROM CHW NAHALAL YOUTH VILLAGE BETTER TOGETHER: FROM CHW HADASSIM CHILDREN AND YOUTH VILLAGE THE FUTURE IS STRONG: FROM CYJ CAMPS SAFE AND SOUND: FROM MICHAL SELA FORUM CLOSE TO HOME: FROM FRANNY’S FUND PROVIDING HOPE: FROM WIZO SAFETY NET SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTING UPDATES: FROM TECH19 AND SOCIAL SPACE TLV
Project Visits
VISIT ISRAEL WITH ALICIA AND HOWARD EPSTEIN AND JOELLE AND MARTIN SACKSNER; SARAH HUTMAN AND HER THREE GRANDCHILDREN: TAYLOR, BRANDON, AND MASON; TOVA TRAIN, AND CYJ CAMP BILUIM
PUBLISHER
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW)
CREATIVE TEAM
Rebecca Bowslaugh
Sharon Stern
Daniel Pike
Alex Saslove-Raisbeck
CONTRIBUTORS
Alanna Elias
Jennifer Ierullo
Malka-Deena Lewis
Katia Ousovitch
Karen Rustia
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Tova Train
IMMEDIATE PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Lynn Gillman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephanie Caplan
Marcia Glick
Dorothy Hanson
Jeannette Hoffman
Shanna Mittleman
Barb Rosenstein
Ariella Schachter
Linda Senzilet
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lisa Colt-Kotler
Printed in Canada.
CHW (CANADIAN HADASSAH-WIZO) National Office 209-638A Sheppard Avenue West Toronto, ON M3H 2S1
Telephone: 416-477-5964
Toll-Free: 1-855-477-5964
Fax: 416-477-5965
Email: info@chw.ca
Web: www.chw.ca
The articles which appear in ORAH Magazine, while representing the opinions of the authors (or issuing agencies), may not necessarily reflect the official views of CHW (Canadian Hadassah-WIZO). We welcome any letters or comments regarding the contents of ORAH Magazine.
TO CANADA FROM ISRAEL
At 6:30 a.m. on October 7, 2023, I was awoken by the faint sound of a siren. My husband and I jumped out of bed and grabbed our daughters, Adi (9) and Chen (7), from their beds and into the room of our son, Alon (5) — his room is our shelter. We were safe, but from that moment, nothing is as it was. I liken the last 400+ days of my life to the five stages of grief.
The first stage is shock and denial. This would account for the first month of the war when I couldn’t shake the questions: How could this have happened? Where was the army? Why did it take so long? Who would do such things? As more and more details were released, it became more difficult to grasp: from three-year old Abigail to a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor, the death of soldiers before they’ve begun their adult lives and of reservists who leave behind widows, children, parents, siblings.
Eventually the shock dissipated, and the intense pain and guilt kicked in — stage two. Pain for the victims and what they endured, the innocent hostages, and the families, as if I had known each of them and the loss was personal. And the guilt in knowing it could have been me, my husband who served as a reservist for more than five months, or my children.
Then came the third stage: anger and bargaining. I would characterize it more like rage. I was enraged by the gruesome, unforgivable acts; at those who were supposed to have protected us and failed; at the persistent and undeserved suffering of the hostages and the thousands who lost loved ones, homes, and their livelihoods; and at the uninformed criticism of Israel and absurd support across the globe for a terrorist organization. To this last point, I made “Aliyah” with the understanding that the only way to ensure that my grandmother’s survival of the Holocaust was not in vain was to raise a family in Israel. I felt this way 16 years ago; it was underscored after a period of living in London, and after this year, I have become more dogmatic and even unapologetic in my deep belief in Israel’s need to exist.
The fourth stage, depression, lingers on and will likely endure until there is a resolution to the 101 innocent people in captivity, the hundreds of rockets fired at Israel every single day, and the incomprehensible number of wounded and killed. I don’t know a single person in Israel who is not depressed, and in a state of trauma to some degree or another.
The final stage is acceptance and hope, which I received from working with CHW. CHW projects have been instrumental to so many during this time: from physically rehabilitating thousands of wounded and healing victims’ mental health to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable women and children in times of war. Working with our partners in Israel, professional staff in Canada, and the CHW members who visited Israel over the past year, has given me vigour and optimism. I feel fortunate to work with the best people in the world! It’s what keeps me going. With profound appreciation,
Sharon Stern, CHW Israel Director
YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY
We give you a place to tell it.
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SUPPORT CHW
Your generosity allows Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) to support education, healthcare, and social services, benefiting women and children in Israel and in Canada. You can contribute to CHW in many ways:
• Support a campaign
• Monthly giving
• Cards and Certificates
• Join our Legacy Circle
• Support a fundraiser
• Join a chapter
• Start a chapter
• Volunteer at an event
• Host a fundraiser
• Volunteer as a canvasser
For 100+ years, CHW has been CHANGING LIVES, PROVIDING HOPE and BUILDING FUTURES.
CURRENT CHW PROJECTS IN ISRAEL
EDUCATION:
CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village
SOCIAL SERVICES:
World WIZO
• Lea Zev Shilman & Joseph Zunia Shilman Therapeutic Program
• Emergency Generator
• Music Program
CHW Nahalal Youth Village
• The Ruth and Fredz”l Cooperstock Dairy Farm
CHW Netanya Technological High School
• Culinary Arts Program
CHW Neri Bloomfield School of Design at Haifa University
• Student Scholarships
Hadassah Academic College (HAC)
• Alanna Elias Blender Scholarship
• Max & Faye Kifer Scholarship
HEALTHCARE:
Hadassah Hospital, Mt. Scopus
• Large Hydrotherapy Pool at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center
Shamir Medical Center
• PTSD treatment utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Safety Net
• Essentials Kits
• Respite Summer Camp
Michal Sela Forum
• The Michal Sela Canines
• Michal’s Watch
HaGal Sheli
• Mental health for at-risk youth
Her Academy
• Services for at-risk women escaping prostitution
PROJECTS IN CANADA
Franny’s Fund
• Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal
Scholarships and Bursaries
• Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa
Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) Camps & Programs
• Across Canada
Annual Holiday Toy Drive
• Calgary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen Farkas donated a generous gift to establish an endowment fund. The interest earned each year will be allocated to the highest priority needs in perpetuity.
Benaron Gleiberman donated a generous gift in memory of Barbara Gleibermanz”l to establish an endowment fund. The interest earned each year will be allocated to the highest priority needs in perpetuity.
LindaSilvermanandSam Bugisdonatedagenerousgift inmemoryofFriedaBugisz”l to establishanendowmentfund, whichwillbeallocatedto studentscholarshipsatCHW educationprojects.
Through the lasting friendships you built over the years with CHW, and our vital projects that have touched your life, we become part of your extended family. As your partner in philanthropy, CHW can help turn your vision into reality.
It starts now and continues with the legacy you leave behind. Consider a planned gift of insurance, gift in your will, establish an endowment fund; there are many options to enjoy significant tax and financial advantages while providing financial security for our projects in Israel to sustain them for generations to come. Many of our Sustainers want to ensure that their support will sustain CHW in perpetuity and they have opted to set up an endowment with us. To learn more contact alanna@montreal.chw.ca
CHW.CA/LEgACY
A NEW LigHT
at CHW
After October 7, many people reached out to CHW, looking to do more. We spoke with one of those people, Lisa Kochman, about being a co-founder of the new CHW Toronto Nova Chapter and how inspiring it is to be connected to other women in the community.
“The CHW Toronto Nova Chapter was formed this summer (July 2024). After I reached out to CHW to inquire about volunteer opportunities, Shayla GunterGoldstein, the CHW Toronto Centre Engagement and Outreach Officer, emailed me asking if she could introduce me to two other women who had also reached out to CHW. Ashley Brown, Nicole Barrett, and I met with Shayla over Zoom, where Shayla asked if we’d be willing to start a new chapter. Shayla envisioned that a chapter in Thornhill/ Richmond Hill, with women in their 40s could fill a void.
Ashley, Nicole and I met for lunch, and it felt right. We live fairly close to one another, we’re all married with kids, working full time, and looking to do good with other like-minded women. While I was relatively new to CHW, Ashley and Nicole had participated in CHW events in the past and their mothers did, too. Ashley was part of Yasmin Chapter for years. Nicole also attended several CHW events and has fond memories of her mother hosting meetings at their house.
It was an easy decision to move forward with the three of us starting this chapter as co-presidents. Nicole suggested the name, Nova, which we loved immediately. Nova means “light” and “newness”. The Nova Music Festival is where thousands of beautiful people came together; they just wanted to dance. Unfortunately, we know too well how the end of that festival stole the light from hundreds of people, not to mention those affected by the countless terrorist attacks committed throughout Israel on October 7 and since. There are those who were killed, those who
are still held hostage today, and those who survived but are suffering every day since. We honour all of them in the naming of our chapter, and with the good work we have set out to accomplish.
Our first meeting had an amazing turnout of 16 women. We received positive feedback and a few said the same thing: “I wanted to do something. I needed to do more, and I didn’t know what. I’m so glad to be part of this.” At our second meeting one of our members, Mindy Finegold, spoke to the group about her recent volunteer work in Israel and visiting the Nova site. It was very powerful and launched important conversations among those who attended. Our third meeting was to socialize and have early Chanukah celebrations. We will have a guest speaker on January 27 to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, with ongoing meetings to follow.
Nova Chapter’s first fundraiser kicked off with Namaka Bottles (read more on page 50). Planning is already underway for a couple more fundraising initiatives scheduled for early next year.
To anyone looking to join Nova Chapter, please reach out. We’ll be here to welcome you with open arms. To anyone looking to start a new chapter, that’s great. This is new to us, but if you’re looking for guidance, ask everyone! Ask any Jewish women you know if they’ll attend a meeting, and then ask them to bring a friend.
Our Nova Chapter WhatsApp Group is now up to 29 women! This makes us so happy. In a short period of time, Ashley, Nicole and I started something really great. With the women in our chapter, it’s going to get better and better. For a lot of us, everything changed after October 7. We gain strength in being part of this wonderful CHW community. Inspiring, strong women coming together to connect, while raising funds for critical programs in Israel and Canada.” - Lisa
L-R: Ashley, Nicole, and Lisa at their first lunch.
CBAkED WiTH
Above and beyond coping with the tragic events of October 7, CHW Netanya Technological High School has transitioned through changes and improvements over the past year.
armit Dana has been principal of the Netanya Technological High School (NTHS) for just 15 months and has already done wonders for the school and its students. She raised staff morale, increased enrollment from 48 to more than 100 students, increased the percentage of students who take the matriculation exam from 10% to an expected 50% in the 2024–25 academic year, and eliminated the school’s 1.3 million NIS debt.
Carmit is constantly working to elevate the learning experience for the students. In March, with CHW support, seven select students received ongoing therapy sessions with a psychologist specializing in at-risk youth.
In April, she secured funding for 10 select students to participate in a therapeutic horseback riding program. After the program proved to be successful, Carmit secured funding for another 20 students to participate this year.
Another new initiative at NTHS, in collaboration with Equal Gate (Sha’ar Shiviyon), is a multi-level soccer program. Equal Gate is a non-profit organization that works to reduce gaps in Israeli society using sports as a tool for education and social change. The program combines values and empowerment processes and imparts skills that will help shape the image of their future. The team plays on its home court and will attend monthly tournaments. Students are excited about the program and have expressed enthusiasm to participate, which is contingent upon their academic studies and behaviour.
30% of 2023– 24 students completed their matriculation exams
50% of 2024–25 students are studying toward matriculation exams
Sam* arrived at NTHS two years ago. He came from poverty. His mother was an addict and his father was abusive. Sam was extremely aggressive when he arrived. A social worker had to remove him from the school after he physically attacked Ayal, the most gentle person at NTHS. But Sam continued working under Ayal, completing his full matriculation exams and excelling in technology. Today, Sam works at a top bakery. He cried on the phone telling Ayal about baking honey cakes and delivering them to soldiers for Rosh Hashanah.
With the help of a generous donor, the Culinary Arts Program will receive essential equipment needed for their curriculum this year.
NTHS was relocated to a temporary campus in July. The municipality is building an entirely new campus nearby. After renovating the temporary space to accommodate the equipment (including CHW-funded equipment), enlarging the space for students and creating a warehouse to store valuables, the Culinary Arts Program commenced in late October.
The Culinary Arts Program provides students with the emotional support, professional skills, and practical tools needed to succeed in Israel’s vibrant culinary industry.
The head of the Patisserie Track, Ayal Levy (pictured left with two students), received the municipality’s Award of Excellence this year, recognizing his unmatched dedication to his students.
Below: Students from the Patisserie Track showed off their skills at their practical matriculation exam.
INNOvATiON CATALYST
Hadassah Academic College (HAC) founded The Blender to advance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among its diverse community of students and alumni. The Blender hosts guest lectures by industry leaders, in-depth workshops, accelerators, hackathons, and other competitions for all students, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility to all. Over 1,000 students and alumni have participated in The Blender’s activities since it first opened in 2020.
This year, The Blender’s student hackathons aptly focused on the Iron Swords War. The first hackathon addressed the topic of advocacy, resulting in a command centre that enlisted entrepreneurs to get involved in Israel advocacy.
The second hackathon competition tackled rehabilitation, specifically in the areas of vision, mobility, and mental health. The eight participating teams — a total of 55 students — showed impressive creativity and thoughtfulness in their projects addressing challenges faced by those undergoing rehabilitation. The first prize was awarded to Contactless, a device that allows contact lenses to be inserted and removed without the use of hands, addressing a critical need for individuals with limited dexterity. Second place went to Apex, an allterrain wheelchair that assists with both ascents and descents, helping to prevent falls and improve mobility. SafeBase came in third with a mobile application that centralizes and shares important information for soldiers and reservists, facilitating access to key resources.
Participants of first hackathon.
The Blender at JVP.
Hackathon winners: Contactless.
Blender student presentation.
The war prompted innovative ventures, which students initiated based on their first-hand experiences in reserve duty. During the war, Eliasaf Friedman, a student in the DAN Department of Creative Human Design, oversaw the collection of fallen bodies. He identified problems with the existing body bags and designed an improved model that he presented to the Israel Defense Forces. The tactical body bag was subsequently adopted for use by the IDF and is in the process of being patented. Yochai Rotem, an alumnus of the DAN Department of Creative Human Design, developed Mepro-Or, an upgraded version of the visor’s lighting mechanism, also in the process of being patented.
The Blender facilitated and is running a collaboration between the DAN Department of Creative Human Design and Hadassah Hospital’s Gandel Rehabilitation Center to design and build the medical center’s Innovation Lab, including a database that will integrate all the support teams involved with the patient to ensure the continued recovery after returning home from hospital care.
1,000+ 450 9 11
participants since The Blender first opened students and alumni participated in 2024 hackathons, accelerators, collaborations, and international competitions ventures in development and patent stages
Participants of second hackathon.
On July 1, 2024, Prof. Bertold Fridlender retired and Prof. Ariela Gordon-Shaag became the new HAC President. Prof. Gordon-Shaag brings an exceptional academic background, a wealth of experience, and an inspiring vision for HAC’s future. Here is a portion of Prof. Fridlender’s goodbye letter to CHW:
After 12 years as President of HAC the time has arrived to pass the torch to a new person. Before leaving I want to personally write to you to thank you for all of what you have done for this college over the years. As I reflect on my activities as President of HAC, I am filled with gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission.
As we look to the future, the support of our dedicated donors remains crucial. Your generosity and encouragement have been the bedrock of our success, and I am confident that with your continued partnership, HAC will continue to be a beacon of excellence in higher education. I will remain involved as a volunteer member of the Board of Trustees and look forward to contributing to HAC’s future alongside you.
With warm regards and great appreciation, Prof. Bertold Fridlender
ALL THANkS TO YOu
CHW’s scholarships for students studying at the Neri Bloomfield School of Design at Haifa University are instrumental in providing access to continuing education and ensuring the ongoing pursuit of academic studies. Students are coping with unbelievable circumstances brought on by the war; since October 7, there has been a sharp increase in applications for scholarships due to financial difficulties. But don’t take it from us — read what recipients have to say themselves.
Below are thank you letters from three of our talented scholarship students.
I’m a third-year photography student at the Neri Bloomfield School of Design at Haifa University. In this letter, I want to tell you a little about myself and highlight the significance of the scholarship to me.
I was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, raised by a single mother after my father passed away when I was two years old. As a child and teenager, I was quite a handful. I changed schools three times because I wasn’t satisfied with the educational process. At the age of 14, as part of the “Na’aleh” program, I came to Israel by myself. I started studying and living in a youth village where I was able to fulfil my potential. I also found a host family who welcomed me with open arms. Today, they are my second family.
After graduating, I joined the IDF and served as a lone soldier (a soldier with no family in Israel) for two years in a secret intelligence unit as a junior DevOps engineer. In 2021, I began my academic journey. In my first two years of college I worked as a QA engineer at a startup, but as the military situation changed in Israel, I had to leave my job. Today, I am a full-time student living in a rented apartment in Haifa with my partner.
The day I received notification of my CHW scholarship was quite an emotional moment for me. While I am grateful for the financial support, the idea of an organization like Canadian Hadassah-WIZO and the Eldee Foundation supporting my education was overwhelmingly empowering and motivational. For me, a 24-year-old student used to getting by on my own and relying only on myself, this meant the world to me. I want to thank you again and emphasize the significance of this scholarship to me.
With regards, Lika Khukhashvili
Photography project by Lika Khukhashvili
I am an architecture student at the Neri Bloomfield School of Design. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous scholarship. Your support is making a significant difference in my life, providing me with the resources and opportunities I need to succeed. Thanks to your contribution, l am able to pursue my dreams and continue my education in an environment that fosters growth and innovation.
I am the seventh child in a big Druze family from Shfar’am. I grew up in a community that values education. My father is a vehicle mechanic and my mother is a housewife. My mother didn’t have the opportunity to continue her high school education; it was a dream she couldn’t realize because of old traditions and values.
My parents decided that education is the most important principle in our family. Two of my sisters studied industrial engineering, two studied law, and one is studying speech therapy. Everyone found a way to pursue their goals. I have been deeply inspired by them; their achievements have fuelled my own aspirations and instilled in me a strong commitment to pursue excellence in my studies and future career. I chose architecture as I believe it is the perfect path for someone with passion for the arts and skilled in mathematics.
With thanks and appreciation,
needs-based scholarships were provided with support from CHW and the Eldee Foundation in the last academic year.
counselling sessions were carried out by CHW funded academic counsellors during a total of 56 consultation hours.
I am a student in the Visual Communications department at the Neri Bloomfield School of Design. I am very grateful for the scholarship, which helped me a great deal with my financial situation, allowing me to focus on my studies and academic achievements.
I am a 24-year-old husband and father. I chose the Neri Bloomfield School of Design because I wanted to study design, but still be close to home. I commute to Haifa every day by train.
Following graduation, I plan to work as a video game designer or web developer. The scholarship really helps me with the additional costs of printing and the commute to school.
With much appreciation, Yonatan Alperin
Click the icon to watch Yonatan’s student project video.
Hala Hassoun
HADASSAH ON THE FRONT LINES
IN ISRAEL:
22,083 8,000 of whom are civilians). testimonies of rape 1,500+ recorded by Israel’s Police .
Israelis injured (approx.
Since October 7, 2023, more than 20,000 Israelis have been wounded in the Iron Swords War with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and in terrorist attacks in the West Bank. Israel’s first Level 1 Trauma Center, and the only one in Jerusalem, Hadassah Hospital has treated more than 1,000 severely wounded soldiers and civilians at its Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus facilities.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense reports that more than 12,000 members of the security forces require rehabilitation after sustaining war-related injuries. There are approximately 1,000 new cases every month that the war continues, with 5,200 soldiers currently suffering with mental health issues.
The accelerated opening of the Gandel Rehabilitation Center (GRC) enabled a rapid response, providing patients with expert rehabilitative care and greatly improving their quality of life as quickly as possible. Completing the GRC’s remaining five floors is critical and will double the center’s capacity.
The current center is comprised of seven therapeutic departments — inpatient, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, adapted daily living, mental health, and outpatient — the GRC provides the most comprehensive care for war-wounded soldiers and civilians. Thirty-five physiotherapists work in six halls equipped with the most advanced physical therapy equipment and technologies available, restoring function for hundreds of patients.
Thirty occupational therapists work with patients in six occupational therapy halls, as well as in five private rooms designated for assessments and one-on-one intensive therapies to develop or regain important skills. At the heart of the healing process is the hydrotherapy unit.
“The more lives we save, the more people there are who need our help to heal, who need our care to overcome their wounds and live full lives once more.”
- Jorge Diener, Executive Director of Hadassah International
Comprised of two hydrotherapy pools, the GRC’s magnificent hydrotherapy unit uses water to support patients with soothing, low-impact exercise to assist in the healing from traumatic injuries and reduce the suffering from chronic pain. Hadassah’s Mount Scopus campus was the first hospital in Israel to offer patients a fully functioning hydrotherapy pool. Today, the GRC’s Hydrotherapy Unit is the only place in Jerusalem where wounded soldiers and injured civilians can receive this necessary treatment at the most formative stages of their rehabilitation process when suffering from the highest levels of pain and trauma.
Today, the GRC is rehabilitating 250 patients every single day. Renowned for its exceptional response during this difficult time of conflict, the GRC stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation in rehabilitation. CHW committed $2 million to the large hydrotherapy pool, of which The Azrieli Foundation has contributed $1 million. This is in addition to the $1.2 million CHW raised for urgent medical equipment during our Emergency Appeal.
Recovering soldiers going through physiotherapy.
One of the two new Hydrotherapy Pools at the GRC.
At the onset of the war, Hadassah opened emergency Post-Traumatic Stress Treatment (PTSD) centres for children and adults in numerous communities and provided psychological interventions and comprehensive psychiatric evaluations to individuals, families, and groups displaced from the southern kibbutzim. Since October 7, there has been a 100% increase in anxiety-related cases admitted to Hadassah’s Emergency Rooms. As the war continues, Hadassah is tackling the pressing and escalating need for treatment of emotional trauma among all ages and from across the country.
The hospital is training staff in the Pediatric Psychiatry Department in specialized intervention models for child and adolescent populations with PTSD, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a specialized form of talk therapy that teaches healthier coping mechanisms for handling intense emotions, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a model known to assist toddlers, children up to six years old, and their parents, who have undergone a traumatic event. Hadassah is also training psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists in the Adult Psychiatry Department to provide trauma treatment with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). When the war ends, the work to rehabilitate the souls of half-amillion Israelis will just begin.
Naama Karniel, Head of Physiotherapy at the GRC.
HOpE FOR THE FuTuRE
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at Shamir Medical Center has proven to be effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms in individuals who are unresponsive to traditional treatments. This will bring hope of relief to millions of sufferers worldwide.
In 2019, a study was carried out on male IDF veterans diagnosed with combat-associated PTSD who had not responded to either psychotherapy or psychiatric medications. The study was conducted by Shamir Medical Center’s Prof. Shai Efrati, Founder and Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, and Dr. Keren Doeynas-Barak, Head of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Program.
The participants were divided into two groups: one received hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), breathing pure high-pressure oxygen, while the other went through the same procedure but received a placebo treatment, breathing regular air. For the first time, the findings established that HBOT significantly reduces PTSD symptoms in veterans unresponsive to other treatments and promotes brain connectivity and healing visible on fMRI scans, giving new hope to millions of PTSD sufferers and their families worldwide.
October 7 and the Iron Swords war has exposed tens of thousands of civilians to life-threatening and horrifying scenes. In many cases, these traumatizing events are followed by a traumatic response, which may manifest as re-experiencing severe anxiety, confusion, and dissociation. While most individuals, with adequate support and treatment, can recover from their initial response, some may develop long-term symptoms that meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Before October 7, Israel acknowledged approximately 6,000 IDF veterans as PTSD sufferers, with countless other soldiers and citizens not yet recognized. A study has predicted that over half a million Israeli civilians are at risk of developing PTSD in the aftermath of October 7 and the war.
Since October 7, the objective of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Shamir Medical Center (SMC) has been to provide rapid, personalized treatment to support a swift return to normal life. Over the past year, the Center has treated 750 civilian patients — survivors from the kibbutzim of the south and the Nova music festival — with the four-and-a-half month HBOT. The Center is currently in the process of securing government support to ensure all PTSD victims have access to this critical treatment. CHW, together with other supporters of Shamir’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy, established the foundation for this systemic change to take place. “To each donor we are incredibly grateful. Now it is our responsibility to ensure the treatment is available to all,” shared Dr. Doeynas-Barak.
The Sagol Center at SMC is the largest hyperbaric treatment center worldwide. Its staff has extensive experience in field trauma and has successfully treated diverse populations, including combat soldiers with severe PTSD, adults who developed PTSD after nonmilitary events, and adults who experienced childhood trauma. Today the Center treats 350 patients every day.
Daniella was recently married and studying to get her master’s degree while living in Kibbutz Be’eri with her husband. On October 7, the two were fortunate enough to have been rescued from their homes by the IDF. Knowing how many of her neighbours were still trapped, Daniella refused to leave the kibbutz. She insisted on helping. Seeing her resolve, special forces took her with them house to house, rescuing men, women, and children from their homes.
Afterwards, Daniella was not the same person. She fell into a deep depression, wouldn’t leave her temporary home, and gave up studying. Her life came to a complete standstill.
Daniella was referred to Shamir Medical’s Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. She underwent fourand-a-half months of daily two-hour sessions in the
750 350
civilians have received, or are currently receiving, HBOT since Oct. 7. patients receive HBOT every day. Each patient receives 60 two-hour sessions as part of the specialized treatment
520,000
will need PTSD treatment as a result of Oct. 7 and the Iron Swords war
BACk iN
Established in 1979, CHW Nahalal Youth Village’s horse stables serve as an educational tool and therapeutic outlet for students and youth from the region.
100 YOUTH visit the stables every week for therapy and sports riding. The stables house EIGHT HORSES cared for aroundthe-clock by 15 COMMITTED YOUTH.
Horses are sensitive and gentle creatures that respond and interact without judgment. The therapeutic horseback riding program at CHW Nahalal Youth Village uses the care and riding of horses to help youth overcome difficulties. Often used in addition to other therapeutic means, each session is personalized for the youth and their needs. This includes the time and frequency of the sessions as well as its content. For example, a youth that is dealing with social challenges might have sessions in the early morning hours before school, when the stables are less crowded. The sessions are composed of caring for the horse, riding the horse both in and out of the ring, and playing games, with each session tailored to the specific needs of the youth. Nearly all youth who use the stables visit the horses and care for them outside of their regular sessions.
Research continues to endorse equine therapy as an effective method to improve cognition and behaviour. Spending time with horses helps to foster overall changes in a person’s cognition, emotions, behaviour, and social skills. The activity of riding and any games played during a session enhance memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
Positive behaviours and emotions evolve as the relationship between horse and student fosters awareness, confidence, mood regulation, impulse control, and relaxation. Social skills such as cooperation and empathy improve as teamwork develops between the horse, rider, therapist, volunteers, and new friends.
Other benefits of interacting with horses include increased independence, reduced stress, improved listening skills, enhanced mood, improved communication, stronger personal responsibility, greater empathy, and an improved self-image.
Yara’s* family has been deeply affected by the war in Ukraine. Two years ago, following the outbreak of war with Russia, Yara arrived at CHW Nahalal through the Na’aleh Rescue Program. She faced numerous challenges adapting to her new environment, both socially and linguistically.
In Ukraine, Yara regularly engaged in horseback riding; however, upon her arrival at the youth village, she resisted joining the stables because everything felt suddenly so unfamiliar. With gentle encouragement from dedicated staff, Yara eventually visited the horses. The stable manager provided Yara with personal equipment, including her own helmet, to make her feel more at home. Yara slowly developed a bond with the horses and the stable environment. She was then given the opportunity to participate in a local competition, where she won a medal.
This rediscovered passion significantly boosted her confidence. Yara began speaking more Hebrew and found a supportive social group. Her commitment to caring for the horses and assisting at the stable earned her a place in a tractor-driving course sponsored by the youth village. Despite initial apprehensions, she successfully obtained her tractor license, which has provided her with a unique and empowering role in the Nahalal community.
Yara’s social, emotional, and educational progress can be largely attributed to her involvement with the stable. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of dedication, support, and the right opportunities.
*Name changed for confidentiality purposes.
Thanks to generous CHW donors, the riding grounds are receiving much-needed upgrades (the current conditions pose risks to both horse and rider) and essential bedding materials for the horses.
With your help, we can continue fostering cognitive, behavioural, and emotional improvements for at-risk youth through interactive horse therapy sessions.
Entrance to the horse stables.
A horse being cared for by its rider.
A quiET pLACE
in a loud world
The Ruth & Fredz”l Cooperstock Dairy Farm is an integral part of the CHW Nahalal Youth Village in Israel’s Jezreel Valley. It is an educational and therapeutic home for the youth in its boarding school and the surrounding community.
The Ruth & Fredz”l Cooperstock Dairy Farm at CHW Nahalal Youth Village is not just a production facility, but also a hands-on classroom where students learn about modern agricultural practices, animal husbandry, and sustainable farming techniques. The dairy farm is equipped with advanced technology and adheres to high standards of dairy farming, ensuring the production of high-quality milk while maintaining animal welfare.
The educational aspects of the dairy farm are deeply embedded in the curriculum of the youth village. Students participate in the daily operations of the farm, gaining practical experience that complements their theoretical studies. This experiential learning approach helps foster a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and connection to the land. The farm’s integration into the educational framework of the village exemplifies the holistic approach to youth development championed by CHW Nahalal.
In addition to its educational functions, the dairy also provides revenue to the youth village. Over the last nine years, the farm has nearly doubled its milk quota, which today stands at 1,072,000 litres per year. The quality of milk ranks first among the educational dairy farms in Israel, and third among the rural youth dairy farms in Israel — a respectable achievement. The students participate in leading this industry; working near and with large animals can be dangerous and requires a lot of time, energy, patience, and responsibility.
The Ruth & Fredz”l Cooperstock Dairy Farm at the CHW Nahalal Youth Village stands as a testament to the successful integration of education, agriculture, and community living, shaping the lives of young people and contributing to the legacy of Israel’s agricultural achievements. Pictured below are students who discovered they are happy to arrive early and work hard.
With your help, CHW is funding improvements to the dairy facilities to meet their milk quota and provide appropriate educational and working conditions for the students and staff.
The dairy farm is one of the most challenging branches of agriculture, and faces the perils of regulation. The dairy industry requires the highest level of dedication and professionalism 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round, including Yom Kippur. Cows are delicate animals that require intensive care and will only produce milk in considerable quantity when living in good conditions.
With CHW support, the farm purchased a new milk tank to replace the dilapidated tanks, which were in constant need of repair and no longer met current health standards. The new milk tank (pictured right) was delivered in early October and meets all modern safety expectations. It will allow CHW Nahalal to store larger quantities of milk.
The current barn was built in the 1950s, and today has numerous safety hazards. In April, a large sink hole (pictured right) caused part of the floor to collapse. Luckily, no staff, students, or cows were injured. Thanks to your generosity, CHW helped repair the damage quickly and return the cows to safety.
77 milking cows are cared for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
1,072,000 litres of high-quality milk are produced each year
300 students have morning or evening milking shifts
20 youth trainees are educated to help maintain the barn
The dairy farm serves as a place of respite for all the students at CHW Nahalal, not just those in the boarding school. Students come to the farm as a place to escape from the anxiety and stress created by the war. Being with the animals in a quiet place is a source of comfort and peace during a time of turmoil.
BETTER TOgETHER
The Lea Zev Shilman & Joseph Zunia Shilman Therapeutic Programs at CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village strengthen broken families through specialized therapy and excursions.
CHW Hadassim Children and Youth, recipient of several prestigious academic awards by Israel’s Ministry of Education, is home to over 1,350 children and youth from around the world and Israel. The flagship Na’aleh program has 170 students, this year receiving 30 youth from over 15 countries, including Latin America, the former Soviet Union, and France where antisemitism is on the rise and concern for safety is at an all-time high.
Over the past year, CHW continued its support for The Lea Zev Shilman & Joseph Zunia Shilman Therapeutic Programs, which includes the Shilman Therapeutic Family program, therapeutic music program, and individual counselling, ensuring 100% of the youth at the village receive ongoing counselling, emotional, and therapeutic support tailored to their specific needs. The goal of these programs is to develop and support a healthy relationship and partnership between youth, their parents, the youth village, and the community through collaborative activities, guidance, and training. The emphasis is on helping the parents become an integral part of their child’s life, education, development, successes, and challenges.
Many children of the boarding school face difficulties in their relationship with their parents. For some, families experience crises: the death of a parent, divorce, frequent changes of residence, and economic problems. For others, these challenges arise due to their adolescence and their parents’ inability to cope normatively with these behaviors: testing extreme limits, searching for identity, and rebelling. These cases often lead to a compromise of parental authority.
100 high-risk families significantly improved parentchild relationships through The Shilman Therapeutic Programs this year through means such as:
• Weekly reporting keeping parents informed
• Mediated parent visits to the boarding school
• Parent-child trips to strengthen their bond
• Therapeutic groups for parents to address challenges and provide a support group
• Coordinated activities improving the parent- childboarding school staff relationship
Families participating in bonding activities.
Amy* is a tenth-grade student at CHW Hadassim. She arrived at the boarding school one year ago after spending several months at an emergency centre for at-risk girls. Amy came to the emergency centre after suffering severe physical violence from her mother, and there was suspicion of sexual abuse by her stepfather. Before entering the emergency centre, Amy was socially active in her hometown, excelled academically and was active in supplementary education in her town. Upon leaving her home, Amy experienced a severe crisis and felt that her world had collapsed. When she arrived at CHW Hadassim, she refused to cooperate, struggled to attend school regularly, and her mental state deteriorated.
The staff at CHW Hadassim worked hard to build a connection and trust between them and Amy, as well as between them, Amy’s mother, and the social services in her town. CHW Hadassim began an intensive intervention of parental guidance and parent-child therapy. Thanks to this intervention, her mother began community treatment. Amy started to improve academically, participated in activities and village-wide programs, and her relationship with her mother stabilized significantly.
Throughout this period, Amy dreamed of returning home, receiving warmth, care, understanding, and love from her mother, and thanks to the Shilman Therapeutic Programs, this dream will come true. Amy’s mother is continuing therapy, and Amy is expected to return home after a year at the boarding school. Amy and her family are very grateful for the staff’s intervention and involvement, and the guidance and instructions they received, which allowed them to reunite.
*Name changed for confidentiality purposes.
1,350 children and youth from around the world call CHW Hadassim Youth Village home
170 students from over 15 countries are in the flagship Na’aleh program at CHW Hadassim
Yoni* has been a student at CHW Hadassim for four years. During this time, the staff have had to deal with numerous difficulties between Yoni and his mother. His parents got divorced and his mother remarried a man he did not accept.
Over the past year, the relationship between Yoni and his mother reached a breaking point; Yoni confided in the staff that his mother and her husband were smoking cannabis in the presence of his younger siblings, which he could not and would not accept. His stepfather said Yoni was no longer allowed to visit on weekends after several difficult incidents and arguments.
Yoni wanted no contact with his mother. He refused to visit her during the holidays and began visiting his father and paternal grandmother. As a result of these challenges, combined with adolescence, Yoni’s behaviour at school deteriorated. He acted violently, his academic performance declined, and there were serious disciplinary incidents.
The intervention of the staff in the relationship between Yoni and his mother, parental guidance, continuous conversations, and parent-child guidance through the Shilman Therapeutic Programs led to a significant improvement. Yoni resumed visiting his mother during the holidays, is finishing the year with academic excellence, and received an award from the local authority for being active and outstanding in community service. The peak of their relationship’s progress was evident when Yoni’s entire family came to the boarding school for a joint parents-children day, expressed their pride, and were very happy to be part of it.
*Name changed for confidentiality purposes.
100% of students receive ongoing counselling and therapy through the Shilman Therapeutic Programs
100 high-risk families have significantly improved their relationships over the past year
THE FuTuRE iS STRONg
CHW supports Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) to help build resilience, improve youth mental health, strengthen the future of Canadian Jewish identity, and empower the next generation of community leaders.
Each year, CHW provides funding to Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) summer camps in Canada, which aim to strengthen young members’ Jewish identity and principles. CHW currently supports CYJ’s JOLT program, Machane Lev and Biluim Israel.
JOLT, or Jewish Outreach Leadership Training, is CYJ’s flagship program for youth tikkun olam, or community outreach. It is the third phase in CYJ’s leadership development curriculum. The program continues to engage participants in Jewish value-based programming.
JOLT provides participants with meaningful educational opportunities centered on social issues, including seminars, volunteer opportunities, and engagement with organizations in their cities. JOLT runs in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax.
Machane Lev is a one-week, Jewish overnight camp for children and youth who are LGBTQ2+ or come from LGBTQ2+ families/communities.
It’s a place where young people can celebrate their Jewishness and their own identities together while enjoying camp activities. Machane Lev also offers yearround programming.
22 of the 43 Machane Lev campers were supported by scholarships and/or travel bursaries with the help of CHW.
38 youth participated in the 2023–24 Vancouver program (an increase in demand).
JOLT VANCOUVER
JOLT TORONTO
JOLT MONTREAL
JOLT HALIFAX
45 youth participated in the 2023–24 Montreal bi-weekly programs.
45 youth participated in the 2023–24 Toronto program and 50+ have registered for 2024–25.
35 participants in the 2023–24 Halifax program, including Russian/ Israeli youth new to Halifax.
Click the icon to watch a complimentary CHW webinar featuring Risa Epstein, National Executive Director of CYJ, and Ellie Gamliel, Director of Israel Education AT CYJ.
Biluim Israel is the final phase of CYJ’s leadership training program. The program combines leadership development, seminars, nature hiking, and tours. The participants also experience the feeling of camp within the Israel setting. The program has an optional addition of Poland before arriving in Israel.
In July, Camp Biluim participated in a half-day surf program with CHW’s new partner, HaGal Sheli. They learned about personal growth and success by learning to surf.
“As a member of Canadian Young Judaea, I have attended camp since I was eight years old! Biluim Israel was the obvious next and last step for me as a camper, but it seemed very out of reach for me. After my family received a needs-based scholarship, I was ecstatic! Biluim Israel was finally in the cards for me, and I started to prepare myself for this once-in-alifetime experience. Going to Israel after the tragedies of October 7 was unique, challenging, and the most meaningful weeks of my life. I met Israelis displaced from their homes in the North, soldiers who fought and were injured in Gaza, and spent time with Jewish teens like myself navigating this new world together. I can take the lessons I learned this summer with me in my everyday life. I have learned so much, grown so much, and I am committed to continuing to grow as a Jew, as a Zionist, and as a leader.”
- Biluim Israel 2024 Participant
66 participants in 2023–24 (decreased enrollment due to the current and ever-changing situation in Israel).
15 youth requested financial assistance to participate in the program.
Click the icon to watch a short highlight video from the CYJ visit to HaGal Sheli.
SAFE AND SOuND
CHW supports Michal Sela Forum, helping to provide at-risk women and their children living under threat of violence with a sense of safety and security they thought was lost forever.
Domestic violence rates have nearly doubled since October 7. Thus far in 2024, 24 women were murdered by their intimate partners, and hundreds of thousands were victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Shelters and restraining orders, while lifesaving, are implemented only after the violence takes place, cost the state millions each year, and are not a sustainable, long-term solution.
Domestic violence does not discriminate based on socioeconomic status, religion, race, or ethnicity. It is a serious social issue that requires intervention and transformational change.
Lili Ben-Ami established the Michal Sela Forum (MSF) in 2020, one year after her sister, Michal Sela, was brutally murdered in her own home at the hands of her husband. MSF is combating domestic violence and femicide through innovation and technological solutions. In just four years, MSF has built a new ecosystem of start-ups to prevent violence against women, harnessing industry, government, high-tech, and counterterrorism experts.
Today, 461 women and 1,558 children are protected in MSF programs. Michal’s Watch provides women under threat of intimate partner violence with 24/7 security services, a panic button, self-defense lessons, and a cease-and-desist letter from a law firm to the threatening party.
Built together with domestic violence experts, legal experts, and experts from elite Israeli security units, Michal Sela Canines is the only long-term solution for women at extremely high risk of intimate partner violence. The program provides women with a trained protection dog to help preserve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, recover their freedom of movement, and regain control over their lives. Since their inception, there have been 20 incidents in which MSF programs prevented a murder and saved lives.
Becky is one of the women in MSF’s canine program. She arrived at the meeting place in a public space to hand her children over to her ex-partner, as per the custody agreement.
Despite the restraining order, her ex-partner approached her in a threatening manner.
Her dog bared its teeth at her ex-partner — he stepped back, took the children, and left.
Thanks to your generosity, CHW has provided the funds for the purchase and training of six Michal Sela Canines over the past two years.
Michal Sela Canines was the subject of research conducted by the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of National Security. The findings of the research, released in July 2024, found that the presence of the canines in the women’s lives, and the training and personal attention they received, significantly improved their sense of protection and personal security — feelings that were eroded at best and non-existent at worst before they joined the program. They found that the canines restored a sense of freedom and control, which the women said had been stolen from them. The findings also demonstrated that the canines helped the women and their children heal from the trauma they experienced and improved their quality of sleep. Participation in the program increased the women’s sense of calm and reduced the state of anxiety and hypervigilance that had characterized their existence before they joined the program.
“I’m not afraid anymore. I take the dog with me to physiotherapy and to my psychologist. I feel safe. My ex-husband tried to enter the house, but when he heard the barking, he fled.”
“Before the dog, I was taking anti-anxiety medication every night — I haven’t taken a pill for close to six months.”
“I asked for safety but got the bonus of healing.”
“I can finally let my children go downstairs to play in the yard. I can go shopping by myself, which I couldn’t do before. My kids’ friends can come over. That would never have happened without the dog.”
461
women are in MSF protection programs
children are safe in MSF programs 1,558 increase in sense of safety at 700% home with their canines increase in their quality of sleep as 29% a result of their canines decrease in physical violence due to 62% the protection of their canines decrease in incidents of sexual 72% violence due to the protection of the canines decrease in verbal violence as a 26% result of the canines decrease in economic violence as a result of the canines
28%
*All quotes are anonymous for confidentiality purposes.
CLOSE TO HOmE
Franny’s Fund was created to fill gaps for urgent needs like counselling and legal fees for children/youth and their families while they navigate the criminal justice system across Canada.
Reporting domestic violence or sexual abuse is the only way to interrupt these cycles of abuse. Reporting violence is the only way to hold abusers accountable and the only way to either assist these perpetrators with counselling interventions where appropriate or separate the victims from their abusers. Domestic violence, sexual violence, and trauma has profound effects, especially on children. Stopping this violence by reporting it is the only chance these children and victims have at being able to lead happy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
Reporting violence is however, just the beginning of the process. If charges are laid, abuse victims often face a lengthy court process. The criminal justice system can be extremely lonely and traumatizing to navigate, especially if there are not resources available to assist in this difficult process.
Many local agencies have limited funding to support these participants while engaging in the court process. Often these resources are limited to the named victims and not available to caregivers and siblings who have witnesses this abuse.
Franny’s Fund was created to provide financial resources for urgent needs of these children/youth and families who have had the courage to report and stop this violence. The early intervention of counselling significantly impacts the success of these participants in the future. Being able to provide caregivers with the resources to support themselves and their children through the process helps to minimize significant trauma down the road.
In 2023, Franny’s Fund began supporting centres across Canada: Homefront and Luna Centre in Calgary, The Treehouse in Vancouver, Boost in Toronto, Counselling and Family Services (CFS) Ottawa, and Fondation MarieVincent in Montreal. In this issue, we will focus on impact numbers from Fondation Marie-Vincent and CFS Ottawa.
To learn more about what each of these centres is trying to accomplish, please see the page opposite.
The Child and Youth Witness Support Program at Counselling and Family Services (CFS) Ottawa is supported by CHW through Franny’s Fund. The program is designed to support child victims and their families as they prepare for trial in cases of child abuse.
CHW’s support funded 458 hours of direct support time to child and youth victims of crime in the last six months. During that time, the team supported 191 young people, 148 of whom are girls. Among the 54 new young victims, 24 are sexual abuse victims, 18 are victims of physical abuse, and eight are victims of another crime (not listed).
In the previous fiscal year, a total of 224 youth were supported, and we would expect a similar number this year.
Fondation Marie-Vincent is supported by CHW though Franny’s Fund. Their program provides specialized, cutting-edge treatment for children and families who are victims of sexual violence. CHW’s support funds a variety of vital services.
Last year, thanks to CHW’s support, Marie-Vincent greatly increased the support provided to parents, acknowledging their vital role in the healing process, and provided more than 100 hours of counselling. Snacks, meals, and beverages as well as supplies and equipment were offered to the over 400 families Fifty interpreting requests were received and accepted, mainly for parents, a vital service for families coming from all communities and some of whom are newly arrived in Canada.
And finally, thanks to CHW’s support, Fondation Marie-Vincent set up and developed a new service, in collaboration with a taxi provider, offering preferred rates to families who would not have the financial or logistical means to access our facilities. In the space of a few months, we financed almost 220 trips for 19 different young people or their parents.
VISION
A world where children are protected, valued, and can thrive.
MISSION
We work to prevent child abuse and violence through awareness and education. Under one roof, we collaborate with police, child protection, medical, and mental health agencies to provide an individualized and childfriendly response for every child who has experienced abuse.
VISION
Building a protective community and taking a unifying leadership role throughout Québec to address violence against children and adolescents.
MISSION
Marie-Vincent supports children and adolescents victims of sexual violence as well as their loved ones by providing the services they need, in collaboration with our partners, under one roof. We also help prevent violence by focusing on education and raising awareness, and by helping children with problematic sexual behaviours.
VISION
We are here to helps those who are facing some of life’s biggest challenges, including mental health challenges and gender-based violence.
MISSION
Our goal is to help everyone — all genders, ages, ethnicities, faiths, abilities, and in all the ways that make each person unique — meet their immediate needs during times of crisis, while providing them with the skills to face future adversity.
VISION
A world in which no child experiences abuse and the cycle is broken for the generations that follow.
MISSION
Our mission is to serve children who have suffered child abuse with excellence. We do this by uniting our community partners to create a childcentred response to achieve safety and justice that promotes the whole child’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
VISION
A society free of domestic violence where everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential.
MISSION
Creating a safe community by eliminating domestic violence through direct client services, justice coordination, and facilitated community action.
VISION
Luna exists to be a place of hope, help and healing for children, youth, and their families who have been impacted by abuse.
MISSION
To ensure those impacted by child abuse receive the support they need to heal, build resilience, and thrive; and to create communities where offenders are held accountable, and all children and youth are safe.
SAFETY NET Providing Hope
Safety Net supports women and their children as they leave shelters and start their new lives free of violence.
Safety Net is more than just a structured program for survivors of domestic violence. It’s a community of people and resources that address the unique and complex needs of a mother and her children who are not only forced out of their homes by an abusive partner, but are also often forced out of their hometown and community.
The result is a broken and traumatized family that needs to rebuild itself from the ground up. Safety Net assists with housing, furnishing, childcare, job training, financial literacy, getting situated in a new setting, and most importantly, a support system. The Safety Net team includes professional social workers and program directors who are trained and specialize in domestic violence prevention and treatment.
The war continues to have a direct impact on Safety Net participants. Over the past three months, northern Israel has come under intensive, continuous rocket fire. This has completely paralyzed the north of the country, including Safety Net’s communities in Nahariya, Carmiel, Kiryat Yam, and Haifa. For the 72 women and their children in these communities, the Safety Net program — their support system — has been deeply affected. No in-person meetings have been held due to the ongoing security threat, but the Safety Net team and volunteers have done everything possible to facilitate communication with the women and amongst the women.
184 women (and their children) received Essentials Kits from CHW 52 families were treated to a unique three-day holiday 144 women (and their children) are being supported by Safety Net (72 in northern communities)
Despite the difficulties of the war, Safety Net opened a second cohort of its small-business club, which accompanies women in the program who want to become small-business owners. Meeting monthly by Zoom, the program provides these women with the tools, support, and ability to learn from one another. A graduate of the first cohort opened her own hair salon, while another graduate established a carpentry business creating furniture. The second cohort has 17 registered participants.
With CHW’s support, 184 women (and their children) received Essentials Kits in the form of 500 NIS gift cards for home and personal necessity stores — 72 of them from the northern communities — critical for their daily lives.
At the beginning of August 2024, 52 families (52 mothers and 100 children) from Safety Net were treated to a carefree three-day family vacation at the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias in northern Israel.
Two sisters who enjoyed their special holiday.
The sunshine they enjoyed came after having spent a prolonged amount of time living in domestic abuse shelters. They enjoyed pool activities, theatre shows for the kids, buffet meals, and special programming. The staff of the hotel were thrilled to welcome them and lavish them with treats and kindness. And the WIZO team that accompanied them ensured that their needs were not only met, but surpassed.
It was a unique, worry-free experience that most of them had never known or experienced before. The benefits are profound: mothers and children reconnect and strengthen their bonds, experience joy and relaxation, and begin to restore their trust in the world. This time away also allowed them to engage in activities that promote self-worth and resilience, fostering a sense of normalcy and hope as they continue their journey toward healing and recovery.
Zina*, a 47-year-old mother of four, endured a long journey to Israel through Sudan. At 18, she entered an arranged marriage with an abusive man addicted to alcohol. Over a span of 20 years, she suffered severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Following a particularly violent incident, she finally gathered the courage to report him to the police, resulting in his removal from their home.
When Zina joined a Safety Net support group, she was caring for three teenaged children and a nineyear-old daughter. Relying solely on her income as a childcare worker, she was struggling both financially and emotionally. It took a year and a half of support before Zina was able to share her own story for the first time, marking the beginning of her journey toward empowerment.
Since then, Zina has participated in employment workshops, received mentoring for economic empowerment for six months, and attended parenting skills workshops. Her resilience and strength became evident as she actively worked to improve her challenging situation.
Over the past two years, Zina has received various forms of economic aid, including food vouchers, dental care assistance, and legal support concerning labour laws with her employers. Her remarkable progress in coping with her difficult life circumstances with optimism and mental fortitude continues to inspire everyone involved.
Zina’s journey underscores the critical need for community mobilization and nearly daily support, a level of care that social services alone cannot sustain.
CHW supports all Safety Net activities and programs.
*Name changed for confidentiality purposes.
Tech19 is a start-up that provides technical innovative solutions to companies in aerospace and drone technology. Established at the beginning of 2022 in the low socioeconomic town of Yerucham, Tech 19 aims to provide quality high-tech employment opportunities to women in the periphery. These women will ensure financial stability for their families, become role models to their communities, and inspire the younger generation to pursue their dreams.
In October 2022, on CHW’s Journey 4 Impact trip to Israel, CHW awarded Tech19 one of its first Social Impact Investment loans to help the nascent company conduct specialized training and skills development to improve employment opportunities and economic security for women in poverty. Under the bold leadership of Hana Rado and Inbar Cohen, Tech19 was just one month away from being profitable when the events of October 7 unfolded.
With the onset of the Iron Swords war, 25% of Tech 19’s employees were called to military duty, while other employees had to care for their children due to school and daycare closures. Existing clients halted or reduced projects’ scope, new clients rescinded prospective projects and with it, Tech 19’s projected revenue. CHW extended the loan’s grace period and Tech19 took various measures to enable its survival.
Despite the many difficulties, Tech19 supported individuals, businesses, and communities in the south.
It single-handedly saved a signage company from bankruptcy by securing billboards from 188 companies, which were erected throughout the desert in solidarity. Tech 19 was invited to present its work in aerospace and drones at President Isaac Herzog’s event for companies contributing to the national effort and developing the economy of Yeruham and Eastern Negev.
Committed to breaking geographical and professional barriers, Tech19 has become a beacon of innovation and inclusive professional development, offering highquality career opportunities for both women and men in a traditionally male-dominated field. Overcoming the challenges posed by the war, today Tech19 has close to 40 employees and is growing. It established a new software branch in Beer Sheva securing three new clients; established new domains in automation, image processing, and 3D Tech; and increased project volume by 30%. CHW is proud to have partnered with Tech19 as a social impact investment loan recipient. 48% growth in workforce 100% citizens of the Negev
of employees are women
Tech 19 billboards sold to help signage business.
Tech 19 employees.
Tech 19 employees.
SOCIAL SpACE
Established in 2020, Social Space TLV is a centre for social activism and impactful education. Formerly the infamous “Pussycat” strip club, their mission is to encourage a more socially conscious society. The location provides a place for groups from the education, corporate, and government fields to learn, experience, and discuss the meaning of social activism with a focus on gender roles in society.
In January 2023, CHW provided Social Space with a social impact investment loan to convert spaces previously used for female strippers into an inviting and functional space to host groups of up to 40 people at a time comfortably for lectures and workshops to enable more visitors and a larger reach.
CHW’s social impact investment loan has been pivotal in allowing Social Space to sustain and grow its efforts, especially considering the unpredictable circumstances in Israel since October 7, 2023. On October 7, Social Space realized its regular activities would not take place as normal. Three days later, Social Space opened to displaced groups from the south. Every day, 200 people took part in community gatherings and children’s activities. Spaces were created for those whose employment or businesses were affected by the situation, for example, transforming the meeting room into a nail salon to employ cosmeticians from the south. At night, Social Space became a safe and educational space for a group of 50–100 teenagers to keep them off the streets.
The garage acted as a distribution centre for donations going to families and soldiers. The conference room was converted into a space for art therapy sessions for evacuees and Nova survivors, and is now hosting biweekly classes and lectures.
In addition, Social Space provided its 29-room hostel to adolescents in their preparatory year who are not yet recognized as soldiers and had nowhere to go when their family homes were evacuated. It also took part in Tech for Israel, a volunteer group bringing immediate humanitarian assistance to affected Israeli communities.
In March, International Woman’s Month, Social Space hosted a record 5,000 visitors. From April through October, Social Space welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to its ‘Faces of Humanity’ audio tour. This impressive number underscores the ongoing relevance and urgency of Social Space’s mission, especially during times of conflict when marginalized voices can be further sidelined. In July, Social Space held events in collaboration with the municipality of Tel Aviv and leading social and feminist organizations for the National Day of Awareness Against Sexual Exploitation. The initiative brought together a diverse coalition committed to addressing critical social issues in Israel.
Since Social Space took over the Pussycat Club, the city has closed nearly all the strip clubs in Tel Aviv. With an additional three to five years guaranteed in their space, Social Space will continue to impact the discourse around sexual exploitation and gender roles in society for the years to come. Beginning this year, Social Space began repaying their social impact investment loan to CHW.
20,000 visitors attended Social Space’s National Day of Awareness Against Sexual Exploitation events
5,000 people visited Social Space during International Women’s month in March .
200 displaced people took part in community and business events hosted by Social Space after Oct. 7.
100 displaced teens took part in safe activities every night keeping them off the streets
29 hostel rooms were used to house adolescents in their preparatory military year after their family homes were evacuated .
Touring Social Space TLV.
L: Displaced youth workshop. R: Space converted for small-business owners affected by the war.
pROjECT FuNDiNg 2023-2024
Education: $1,292,640 = 24%
Hadassah Academic College, CHW Netanya Technological High School, Neri Bloomfield School of Design at Haifa University, CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village, CHW Nahalal Youth Village, Canadian Young Judaea, and Canadian Scholarships
Healthcare: $3,541,331 = 66%
Hadassah Medical Center; Shamir Medical Center
Social Services: $521,771 = 10%
WIZO Safety Net; Michal Sela Forum Canadian projects: Franny’s Fund; Myra’s Kids; Calgary JF&CS
THANk YOu!
THANkS TO YOu, WE EXCEEDED OuR SummER CAmpAIgN gOAL AND RAISED OvER
$824,110
In just 27 hours, the CHW community came together to help empower victims of violence and trauma supported by CHW through Franny’s Fund, Michal Sela Forum, HaGal Sheli, Her Academy, Shamir Medical Center, and WIZO services. Thank you again to all our generous supporters, Matching Heroes, and Superheroes!
CHW sends a heartfelt congratulations to CHW Montreal Centre on the 50th Anniversary of the Pro-Am for Kids Golf Tournament under the leadership of Co-Chairs Joseph Balinsky, Gary Hutman, and Danny Kaufer.
This year the event raised over $245,000, and over the years it has raised millions of dollars in support of at-risk youth.
Thank you to all the amazing and dedicated volunteers and participants for your tireless support of CHW.
Click the icon to access a playlist of all of CHW’s complimentary webinars on YouTube.
SHUK CENTRE & CHAPTER FUNDRAISERS
NATIONAL
Cards For Any Occasion
CHW offers a complete selection of any-occasion cards and certificates to recognize life-cycle events, such as:
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Birth
• Birthday
• Holidays
• Mazel Tov
• Sympathy
• Todah Rabah
Available online: chw.ca/cards
Handmade Mezuzahs
One-of-a-kind, handmade mezuzahs (scroll not included). The perfect gift for a new baby, wedding, engagement, anniversary, or housewarming. Designed by artist Debra Satok. $72/each.
Handmade Am Israel Chai Necklaces
“Am Israel Chai” paper cutout is encased between layers of glass, in a silver tone case with a silver chain. Keep Israel close to your heart with this unique handmade necklace designed by CHW supporter Zahava Goldstein. $50/each +shipping.
CALGARY CENTRE
Haute Couture Brooches
A meaningful elegant accessory for any occasion. Silk, 3 inch diameter, magnetic back. M&S Schmalberg has been handmaking flowers in New York City since 1916. World-famous designers have ordered specialty pieces for haute couture, runways, and celebrity designs.
Visit chw.ca/shop to see all your local fundraisers.
Mah Jongg Cards Fundraiser
Order your 2025 cards now. Cards will be mailed directly to you from the National Mah Jongg League in April 2025. Deadline to order: January 24, 2025.
Large Card – $22
Standard Card – $20
TORONTO CENTRE
CHW Toronto Nova Chapter Fundraiser
The perfect gift! Customize your water bottle, travel mug, wine tumbler, thermos with a CHW logo, Blue Jays logo, or text of your choice. For every item purchased from the CHW page on Namaka’s website, Namaka will donate $10 to CHW.
We Remember
Joyce Abracen
Janice Abramowitz
Bob Abrams
Ida Abugov
Rose Adelman
Ida S. Afrin
William Aizanman
Richard Akman
Hannah Alper
Sidney Alperstein
Shirley Alter
Sheldon Altman
Karen Anderson
Alan Applebaum
Rhona A. Aronoff-Lewinshtein
Stanley Asher
Marguerite Assayag
Doris Astroff
Murray Atnikov
Allan Axelrod
Virginia Bain
Alice Balshin
Hildy Barnett
Cleo A. Barron
Helen Basch
Annette Bass
Dennis Beallor
Maxine Benditt
Dora Benedik
Carol Benovitch
Rudy Berger
Gordon Berger
Leontyne Berlach
Mona Besner
Shula Besser
Lita-Rose Betcherman
Shirley Birbrager
Louis Black
Frances A. Blau
Karen Bleiweis
Sandra Blicker
Ginny Bloom
Gary Bloomstone
Shirley Bock
Clarice Boretsky
Jean Bortnick
Frances Britton-Endman
Rona Browman
Doris Brown
Mimi Brownstein
Syd Cadloff
Liza Calman
Lyle Cappe
Bayla Chaikof
Yehouda L. Chaki
Lorraine Charad
Hudy Charendoff
Elaine Charlat
Beryl Chernin
Jack Chetner
Anna-Lee Chiprout
Ethel Chochinov
Leah Chodikoff
Harry Chyfetz
Jack Ciubotaru
Ruby Cobrin
Bessie Cohen
Sarah Cohen
Harold E. Cohen
Sylvia Cohen
Beverley Cohen
Esther Cole
Isadore Coop
Mary Cooper
Joel Cooperband
Leslie Cosman
Renee Dallal
Anna Daniel
Clarice Danzker
Alan Davis
Valerie Diamond
Bluma Dieks-Goldenberg
Reba Diener
Judy Edelmann
Rita Edelstein
Leo Edelstein
Kathy Ehrenfeld
Claire Eidinger
Evelyn Eisenberg
Elana Eisenberg
Bina Ellen
Robert Elman
Minnie Emas
Irene Epstein
Pauline Esco
Joan Feldman
Elaine Feller
Ronna Filkow
Renita Fischler
Rina Fishbein
Elsie Fisher
Sidney Fleisher
Phillis Freedin
Ester Fried
Sheila Fried
Lola Friedberg
Anne Friedman
Lillian Frohlich
Shoshana Frucht
Renie Frydman
Gertrude Furman
Hanna Furman
Edith Galfi
Ron Gallay
Bernice Gancman
Ethel Garfinkle
Lisa Gartner
Laverne Gelmon
Herta Getzler
Willie Glaser
Rita Glazer
Zelda Glick
Ruth Glicksman
Isador Gliener
Manual Gluck
Louis Goelman
Sharon Golan
Norman Goldberg
Saul Goldberg
Shirley Goldberg
Rosemary Goldhar
Sybil G. Goldmaker
Allan Goodman
Phil Gotfrit
Freda Green
Gladys Greenberg
Rosalie Greenspon
Doreen Grobman
Sheila Gurman
Elaine Guttman
Carole Guttmann
Carole Halickman
Gloria Halpern
Jordana Hapner
Elaine Harris
Anne Harris
Lesley E. Harris
Roger Hatchwell
Arthur Hayes
Barbara Heller
Reva Henry
Anita Herman
Florence Hertzman
Menashe Hirshfeld
Helen Hornik
Shelley Ingber
Claire Iny
Joseph Isakow
The CHW family fondly remembers those who passed July 1, 2023 — June 30, 2024.
Marilyn Issenman
Sidney Itzkowitz
Magda Jablonka
Stephen Jacobson
Jean Jacobson
Myra Kacew
Clara Kagan
Rita Karp
Delphine Karpman
Naomi Kassie
Estelle Katz
Rene Katzman
Agnes Kemeny
Basha Kerbel
Sylvia Kershman
Barry Kirstein
Etta Klausner
Barbara Klein
Jerry Klein
Doreen R. Kline
Gloria Kohm
Emil Konigsberg
Shirley Krasnow
Ruby Kreindler
Miriam Kronby
Yvette Kutscher
Hy Lambert
Miriam Lampe
Edith Landen
Joy Lapin
Shirley Latchman
Sharon J. Lax
Margery Leibner
Irving L Leibner
Brian Leigh
Phyllis Leinwand
Lillian Lerman
Isabelle Lesh
Zeldie Lester
Helen Lester
Rhoda Levi
Aube Levine
Anita Levine
Elaine Levinoff
Sara Levitan
Anita Levitan
Joseph Levitt
Ben Levitt
Jack Levy
Judie Levy
Caroline Levy
Sheila Linder
Rose Lindzon
Irving Henry Lipton
Philip Litsky
Phyllis Lobenberg
Charlotte Lubin
Sylvia Luger
Sol Luger
Barbara Magerman
Bernard Magidson
Merryl Magidson
Cindy A. Maister
Harold Mandelbaum
Myrna Mannis
Marilyn Mark
Carol Marks
Estelle Matthews
Ruth L. Medad
Adele Meister
Jaime Merbaum
Lorne Merkur
Janice Mervin
Isaac Meyer
Judith Michelin
Sandra Miller
Sarah Miller
Sylvia Miller
Cecile Miller
Norma Miller
Jack Miller
Helen Minden
Livia Molnar
Albertine Mooallim
Annie Morganstein
Stanley Morris
Rochelle Moss
Annette Naiman
Ruth Nolan
Anne Novak
Judith Noyek
Zelda Nussbaum
Esther Olyan
Edith Orleans
Florence Ortenberg
Helen Ostrega
Josef Ovics
Violet Owen
Rita Padveen
Leah Papernick*
Helen Peletz
Marilyn Perlman
Lynn Perlman
Wayne Pertman
Jeannette Phillips
Roslyn Pincus
Rachel Piuti
Stanley Plotnick
Ronald Polinsky
Gordon Pollock
Sylvia L. Polsky
Barry Posner
Theo C. Price
Jack Prince
Fred Rabie
Irving Rabinovitch
Annie Ram
Shirley Ram
Lailla Rapoport
Carol Rapp
Freda Rashkovan
Susan Reich
Eleanor Reinitz
Chava E. Respitz
Dorothy Retter
Shirley Richman
Helen Rittberg
Larry Rittenberg
Bella Rittenberg
Bella Robinson
Anthony Robinson
Norma Rohr
Howard Roiter
Irene Romer
Joyce Rose
Hava Rosen
Sylvia Rosenbloom
Esther Rubenstein
Lois Rudberg
Celia Rumm
Shoshana Samuels
Stephen Sanders
Albert Sandler
Marilyn Satin
Brenda Saxe
Shirley Scheer
Harold Schiff
Marilyn E Schiff
Erwin Schild
Sheila Schouela
Alice Schreter
Leah Schwam
Betty Searle
Rosalie Segal
Gertrude Selick
Nelson Seltzer
Sara Shabsove
Shlomo Shalev
Rita Shapiro
Sarah Shapiro
Evelyn Sheftel-Shapiro
Cynthia Sher
Kayla Shoctor
Samuel Shore
Rhona Shub
Florence Shulman
Cyma Shusterman
Joyce Silver
Ruth Silver
Toby Silverman
Sharon Simon
Ruth Simon
David Singer
Helen Singer
Ruzena Slomovic
Marilyn Smith
Rose Sobel
Lottee Solomon
Michael Spiegel
Shirley Spiegel
Alvin Stein
Shirley Steinberg
Manya Stendel
Eva Sugar
Faye Swartz
Nancy Swartz
William Switzer
Adele Tajfel
May T. Tallman
Jeannie Tanenbaum
Stephen Tanner
Esther Tarder
Bernard Taub
Faigie Teitelbaum
Harriet Tobman
Evelyn Tolchinsky
Roslyn Trevick
Lionel Tucker
Eleanor Tylbor
Mildred Ulster
Howard Ungar
Seena Urovitch
Barbara Usher
Phyllis Vassal
Susanna Vaynshteyn
Dov Vinograd
Mara Vogel
Helen Wajs
Sybil Waldman
Sylvia Wallace
Sheila Warhaft
Maurice Wechsler
Fania Wedro
Fania Wedrow
Harvey Weiner
Ruth Weiner
Arthur Weingarden
Sara Weis
Harry Weltman
Leonard Wendman
Barbara Werier
Sheila Wiesenfeld
Sam Wilder
Beatrice Wise
Maureen Wiseman
Gloria Wunder
Rose Yaffe
Diane Yancovitch
Faye Zeidman
Marla Zionce
Victor Zuck
Rose Zuck
Edith Zuker
Jerome Zwicker
*Our sincere apologies for any omissions in past issues .
