Pom tribute book final may26

Peace of Mind Canada’s

AL GALA — HONOURING OUR IDF HEROES —

June 2, 2015 The Warehouse Event Venue

Peace of Mind Canada’s

FIRST ANNUAL GALA - HONOURING OUR IDF HEROES -

About this Tribute Book This book is intended to show our appreciation for those individuals, groups and organizations who have supported the work of Peace of Mind Canada, and to showcase some of the activities that our discharged IDF soliders enjoy after hours of intensive therapy.

In order to respect the privacy and identity of discharged IDF soldiers, we have obscured their faces in the following photographs.

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending A Taste of the World, the inaugural gala of Peace of Mind Canada.

Tonight’s event provides the Jewish community an opportunity to raise funds for Peace of Mind, the innovative program developed by the Israel Centre for the Treatment of Psycho-Trauma, which helps Israeli Defence Forces soldiers transitioning from military service to civilian life. The program brings discharged IDF veterans, who have experienced the stresses of high-risk combat, to Toronto for intensive therapy and rehabilitative activities that foster reintegration into society.

I commend you for supporting this worthy initiative. Your generous contributions will help heal courageous young men and women on their arduous road to recovery and well-being and are a testament to the deep friendship between Canada and Israel.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my best wishes for an enjoyable evening, as well as every success in meeting your fundraising objective.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. OTTAWA 2015

Peace of Mind for Discharged Soldiers “Only now I know that my life changed twice in the past sixteen months, once it changed during the war and I didn’t realize it, because I thought it was normal to be constantly tense. The second time my life changed was during the Peace of Mind program where I gained a perspective of how to continue with the rest of my life.”

A paramedic in the rescue unit of the Israeli Air Force, after he participated in one of the first workshops in October 2007.

Introduction Peace of Mind is a unique program developed by the Israel Centre for the Treatment of Psycho-Trauma. It paves the way back to civilian life for young men and women who have served three or more years in high-risk combat units in the Israel Defense Forces. The program identifies units who have undergone severe combat experiences and provides the treatment necessary for them to deal effectively with their ongoing Reserve Service (Miluim), and ensure that they begin their civilian life as healthy and productive citizens. Different groups of discharged vets are brought to Toronto several times a year with their therapists, are housed with members of our community, and are immersed in both therapy and community events during their stay. It truly becomes a magical week as they become aware of the caring, strength and unity of the Toronto Jewish community. It is indeed an honour to give back to those men and women who have given so much of themselves not only to their country, but also to all the Jews in the Diaspora.

The Need Every year, thousands of Israeli combat soldiers in their twenties are discharged from military service and are returned to civilian life. Despite their lengthy and arduous physical training, scant attention is paid to their psychological preparedness to cope with the aftermath of their traumatic experiences. Many witnessed terrible sights, made split-second, life and death decisions, or experienced the loss of a comrade and the ensuing grief and bereavement that followed.

Most combat soldiers display remarkable emotional resilience in the face of traumatic situations.

However, when discharged from the army, after three years or more spent in a strict military framework, many feel overwhelmed by the decisions and demands of civilian life. They may develop symptoms ranging from difficulties with concentration, or sleep and memory disorders. Other manifestations include substance abuse, anger management, and symptoms that can lead to full-blown Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Solution: ‘Peace of Mind’ for Combat Soldiers The ‘Peace of Mind’ intervention by ICTP strengthens the emotional resilience of recently discharged combat soldiers. It also identifies those who may be grappling with severe psycho trauma and ensures that they receive the treatment they need and deserve. ‘Peace of Mind’ enables Israeli combat soldiers who have contributed at least three of their most formative life years serving their country to embark upon productive civilian lives. Approximately 30 units/teams have participated in the ‘Peace of Mind’ program in the U.S., Europe and Canada, which have been held in the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War, and the Cast Lead action in Gaza. The program has enabled soldiers who served in elite combat units to make a smooth transition back to civilian life. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with participants reporting a renewed sense of self-control over their lives. Over the past 5 years, ICTP, together with the Jewish Community in Toronto, have provided this intervention for an additional eleven groups of soldiers with great success.

Project Description The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is working with ICTP, identifying combat units that are completing their terms of duty and could benefit the most from the ‘Peace of Mind’ program. Our model is to bring together soldiers who have been serving together in the same unit or team, so that an esprit d’ corps and a level of trust already exists, thereby facilitating the serious work they need to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. Our mandate is to bring as many worthy veterans to Toronto as possible in order for them to receive the therapy that they so greatly deserve. With your help, together we can achieve that goal.

David, Bernice and Adina Walerstein

The Joseph Lebovic Charitable Foundation

Gerald Hartman True North Imaging

Hilda & Jerry Cohen

Bruce, Lianne, Danielle, Rachel & Stephanie Leboff

Fine & Associates Family and Divorce Lawyers

“Peace of Mind helped me a lot. By being abroad, by being hosted, we were able to disconnect from day-to-day life; and especially being able to speak for the first time about things that otherwise we never would have discussed. We shared stories that we’d kept deep inside ourselves for years... We were able to unload, to release.”

– Peace of Mind Participant, Toronto, Canada, 2013

Allan, Aviva, Jedediah, Eden & Isaiah Kliger

“Our guys told us that a significant portion of their last counseling session was discussing us!

The synagogue and Diaspora.... it was a shock for them to hear, believe and then eventually understand/appreciate how real our support is for those who fight in the Israeli army. This was so important to them and an unexpected bonus of their trip.�

- Host Family, Toronto, Canada 2014

Allan and Susan Fenwick

Goldman, Spring, Kichler & Sanders LLP

Greenberg/Samuel Family

PearTree Financial Services

Cindy and Howard Orfus

Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation

“The journey taught me not to repress or bury my feelings but to deal with them. I learned that I am not alone in feelings and concerns and most importantly, I feel! And I thank from the bottom of my heart for the possibility of living more peaceful and relaxed.�

- Peace of Mind Participant, Toronto, Canada, 2012

Rosenberg Smith & Partners LLP

Chaim and Tami Rutman

“The war is finally over and now I can start living my life.�

- Participant, London, England, 2014

Israel and Shoshana Schachter

Danielle and Jeffrey Silver

Collins Barrow

Arla and Steven Green

Benjamin & Levitt Family

Michael and Jodi Gottesman

Dr. Michael Hartman Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Morty Shapiro

www.mortyshapiro.com

Irwin and Elayne Wortsman

Brettler/Mintz Foundation

Thank you to our generous silent auction donors

David Topper

Lilianna’s Esthetics

Eleanor Paul

Maria & Rouzanna

In Gratitude

Matt Eaves

A Taste of the World Gala Committee Tanya Hyams Diana Lipson Miriam Blumstock Sandy Hyams

Rachel Naiman Lauren Michaelov Sandy Gopin Novak

Together we will keep those who defend Israel strong.

Peace of Mind Canada 485 Douglas Avenue | Toronto, ON | M5M 1H6 (416) 433-6617 | info@pomcanada.com www.pomcanada.com Felicia Gopin Executive Director fgopin@pomcanada.com