Behind the Scenes: Our Journey Since October 7th

The events of October 7 turned every Israeli's life upside down. The anxiety and fear experienced by Israelis, initially those in the South and more recently also those in the North of Israel, is unfathomable and has taken quite a toll on all Israelis.

We found ourselves on the frontlines, providing Emergency Relief.

On October 8, we reached out to all of the Social Services Agencies we work with to offer our assistance. We quickly realized that the most urgent need was for safe accommodation for those evacuated or fleeing from the South of Israel. With the never-ending barrage of rocket fire and terrorists still roaming the streets, shooting, and setting ablaze everything in their path, there was a palpable fear of death in the air.

At this point, we found ourselves on the frontlines and over the next few months we provided safe accommodation for over 550 evacuees. 

Long term relief could provide a sense of normalcy in their lives.

By the end of November, it became increasingly evident that the crisis in Israel was far from over. The evacuees we had initially provided accommodation for showed no signs of returning home anytime soon. After consulting with Social Services, it became clear that our focus needed to shift towards assisting these evacuees in preparing for the long term. To address this urgent need, we allocated funds towards winterizing the short-term accommodation. This included purchasing essential appliances such as washing machines, dryers, kitchen equipment, and ovens, to make their living more comfortable. 

At this point, we were also receiving numerous requests for laptops and computers. Cities like Sderot, Ofakim, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, as well as Bar Ilan University, reached out, seeking laptops and tablets for children, students, older adults, and special needs individuals. The common thread among all these requests was the utilization of technology to reintroduce structure and normalcy into their daily lives. The trauma these children/individuals had experienced was profound, and the need to 'get back to normal living' was urgent. 

Once again, we found ourselves on the frontlines, providing over 400 technological devices to those in need.

The significance of mental health and therapy cannot be overstated.

Which brings us to today, May 2024, and seven months post-October 7. We now encounter a new urgent need:

Therapy and Mental Health Care. 

Social Services of Netanya, an agency we've partnered with since 2019, has identified 40 residents of their city who are survivors of the October 7 massacre at the Nova festival. Upon identifying these survivors, Social Services developed a plan to offer a 12-month Therapeutic and Healing Program for these individuals. Due to our longstanding partnership with Social Services in Netanya, we were their initial point of contact for support.

Take a minute to listen to Einat Hatzamri Shavit, a Social Worker from Netanya, as she talks about the state these young survivors now find themselves in.  

Similarly, our connections in Ashkelon also reached out for assistance. Following the heavy barrage of rocket fire - over 240 direct hits on their city - the residents, particularly the children, faced profound trauma. Merkaz Hachesed, an organization that has been providing support to the community of Ashkelon for over 30 years, approached us to support the creation of a new pilot Early Intervention and Trauma Support Program for children. This program aims to understand the trauma these children experienced and provide them with a safe space to express themselves and their inner feelings. 

These past 7 months have been a journey. At Ten Gav, we've learned the importance of flexibility and staying in tune with our Social Workers. We consider the Social Service Agencies we work with to be the crucial aspect that sets us apart from other nonprofit organizations. We follow their lead and appreciate that they understand the desperate needs of their clients at any given time.

From providing safe accommodation to distributing technological devices, and now focusing on mental health care, we thank you for taking this journey with us. Your trust, support, and generosity enable us to provide these essential services to Israelis in their most desperate time of need.

More about Ten Gav's Emergency Relief Fund