A program for reservists to cultivate tools for the transitions from the battlefield to home and back again
Kfar Ma’avar/Transition Village is a safe and supportive environment for reserve soldiers to make the transition between military service and civilian life. The essential values of the Kfar/Village are solidarity, mutual support and collective responsibility within Israeli society. In a brief, intensive set of experiential workshops, the Village offers therapeutic tools to reduce the risk of further traumatization and integrates introspective approaches to trauma which view crisis as an opportunity for growth. The activities in the Village teach the reservists to self-regulate and reduce their anxiety and trauma symptoms, while encouraging them to take leadership in their own homes and within society. The Village sees community as a healing force and works to empower the spouses and families of the reservists too.
How was the project born?
The events of October 7th, which happened in the midst of the biggest social crises we’ve experienced in Israel, led to operation Swords of Iron and the recruitment of approximately 300,000 reserve soldiers, who put aside their civilian lives and enlisted.
Now the reserve soldiers are beginning to return to their homes, families and jobs. During their time in action, soldiers experienced extreme events of war which may continue to impact them with symptoms of trauma and stress. At the same time, these intense months have the potential of being a breeding ground for new vision and new leadership to emerge.
Their ability to process their experiences and integrate back into civilian life is critical for their future, but even more so for the future of their families, communities, workplaces and the whole Israeli culture.
Since the reservists are such an integral part of Israeli society and hold roles of leadership in the business, social and political realms, we hope to use this opportunity to strengthen them and thereby strengthen our whole society which was in a weakened state prior to the beginning of the war. We hope to instill the values of solidarity and collective responsibility that were lacking during the civil crisis and through this project remember who we are as Israelis.
What do we offer?
A customized process that allows the reservists to rest, recuperate and learn and practice tools that enhance resilience, stress regulation and connection to the others in the unit.
The process consists of a structured series of experiential workshops that connect the participants to themselves and their comrades, provide accessible body-centered tools, enable battlefield processing, and support the creation of their own personal vision for how to transition realistically and effectively.
The program takes place at the "Here and Now" center in Gedera, and hosts between 35-50 combat reservists in their organic teams. There are options for 36 or 72- hour programs, with sleeping accommodations and full board.
The Activities Include:
Toolbox for self-regulation and assisting others – Emotionaid
Complementary therapy workshops (phototherapy, movement, writing)
Body treatments
Team-building and resilience -building activities
Battlefield processing methods
Creating vision and building leadership
Healthy and nutritious meals prepared by a private chef
Support for spouses & Tools for couples
Our team meets the commanders of the unit before the program and we offer an additional integration through follow up zoom meetings with the reservists and with their spouses to support their integration back into their homes.
The driving force behind the initiative
Elad Hadad SEP, MA
Professional Entrepreneur and Manager
Former combat soldier and special unit combat instructor, body psychotherapist specializing in trauma and resilience development. He is a therapist, instructor, lecturer, and mentor. For over 20 years, he has combined community, science, and spirit in creating programs that promote trauma-informed leadership emerging from life crises. He learned firsthand, from a personal medical crisis, the role of community in individual healing and the role of the individual in community healing.
Gilad Shtern
Business Manager and Marketing
Reservist in the military, B.A. in Communication with a specialization in public relations from the University of Haifa. Sales manager in the watches and jewelry sector in the family business.
Keren Broder
Operations and Logistics Manager
Body-mind-soul therapist and holistic medicine practitioner. Over the past seven years, he managed the education system of Kibbutz Sdot Yam. Former training coordinator and group facilitator at Kfar Izun/Balance Village (help for young people in acute mental crisis).
Partners
Efrat Zaubman
Manager of the "Here and Now" center and customer relationship manager
