Spring Newsletter 2024
Greetings from Our CEO Dear Friends, After ten years with ELEM, I am excited and gratified to have been named ELEM’s Chief Executive Officer. Over this last decade, I’ve witnessed our growth throughout Israel in the inspiring impact of our work. During my visits to our centers in Israel, I have experienced the confidence, strength, and life skills our staff gives to youth and young adults. I’ve heard first-hand the challenges our kids in Israel face, and the faith they’ve lost that ELEM has restored. In a post-October 7th world, our forty years of work with youth has positioned us to meet the tidal wave of needs these youth have, with expertise and vast operational knowledge. Perhaps you’re already familiar with our innovative Breathing Spaces program, that has expanded over the last six months to support Israeli youth during an active war. We’re working in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare to expand Breathing Spaces into schools serving displaced youth, and we need your support to continue this work. For so many of these youth, ELEM is their only lifeline. We’ve helped survivors of the October attacks and other youth in Israel for whom the recent events have triggered their own, pre-existing traumas. We’ve reached youth who won’t seek out traditional therapy. We’re also supporting teens and young adults in our existing programs, online and in person, at homeless shelters, and on the streets. ELEM is stretching its limited resources to meet all these needs, and we can’t do it without you. O u r emergency campaign, which is only halfway towards its goal, is critical in ensuring that ELEM’s work can continue. But don’t only take it from me. Gaya Nir, Director of the Breathing Spaces program, will be visiting the US this April and will share stories and innovations from her work in the field. Details on public events in San Diego, Boston, and New York, including a webinar, a live-streamed talk, and numerous in-person events, are in this newsletter. I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Gaya and hearing her stories, as well as the stories of Israeli youth and mental health workers. Now, more than ever, ELEM’s work is critical for Israel’s future and strength. The thousands of youths we are serving are the future. They represent the future workforce and the future leaders of the country. Israel needs you.