Yifat Sela, Chairwoman of Emunah, speaking at the Jerusalem Post Second Front Conference, said that while Israelis have been traumatized by the events of October 7 and its aftermath, the country will recover from its trauma.
“We have the facilities to deal with it – the strength of our people and our organizations, which will help us emerge from this trauma," she said. "We have experienced smaller traumas before, and while this is a huge new trauma, we will recover.”
Sela was interviewed by Tamar Uriel-Beeri, managing editor of Jpost.com, at the conference.
She said that 10% of Emunah’s employees live in the Gaza settlements, and a number of its daycare centers are located in southern Israel. Rocket attacks have forced children in these centers to go into shelters, thus adding to the trauma.
With nearly 160 programs – including children's residential homes, schools and a network of day care centers across the country, in addition to its counseling centers – Emunah has been helping the people of Israel for over 80 years.
Children and trauma
Discussing the level of trauma in the country and how it has affected children, Sela recounted the story of a child who told his mother that he had found the best place in the house to hide from terrorists. Another asked his mother if they had insurance to repair their home should it be damaged by enemy rockets.
Sela said that the organization, which provides services for the most vulnerable children and families in Israel, has tried to get children into their daily routine as much as possible, thereby enabling their parents to return to work.
Emunah has thirteen counseling centers throughout Israel staffed with a hundred therapists who are providing therapy and emotional support to the children and employees of Emunah, she said, adding that the organization has opened a special hotline that is providing emotional support for the general population.
“Everyone in Israel feels the stress,” the Emunah leader said. “We try to manage our own stress and still manage and help other people. Emunah is an organization that helps other people, and by helping others, we can gain more strength.”
For more information about Emunah, visit www.worldemunah.org or write to Ruth@worldemunah.org.
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