The Fellowship has regularly supported the Resilience Center of Sdot Negev in collaboration with the Sdot Negev Regional Council since its establishment in 2008, formed in response to constant rocket attacks from the nearby Gaza Strip. The Resilience Center takes a community-based approach to respond to the mental health and well-being of residents. With the size of the community growing in the last 15 years, the October 7 attacks, and the conflict with Iran, the Resilience Center’s services are more needed than ever.
Resilience Center leader Esther Marcus says, “Once again, we are in a situation of emergency, and for the last week or so our clients have not been able to come to the Resilience Center, but our therapists have been in touch with them the whole time. Compared to what’s going on in the rest of the country, things are fairly quiet here. But as you can imagine, having been through the 7th of October and the attack last June from Iran as well, plus the 25 years of living under rocket attacks, people’s nerves are frazzled.”
The Resilience Center offers individual and group therapy sessions for children, families, and elderly of Sdot Negev. The community is invited to a workshop to help them feel less isolated in their experiences. Outreach programs are also offered to local schools and workplaces.
“Thank you so much for all that you have done to help us, and you should know that we’re working constantly and appreciating everything you have done for us,” said Esther.
As the head of Sdot Negev Regional Council told Fellowship staff during our visit in the fall, the community is very tightly knit, and each day is devoted to helping each other. The Fellowship is proud to support and be a part of this effort.
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
