The number of youth ELEM served in 2025 has increased significantly to 15,000+, more than 2,000 from 2024!
SITUATION IN ISRAEL
ELEM Updates from the Frontlines
Following the devastating Iranian missile attacks across Israel, including direct hits in Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv (cities where ELEM operates), our hearts are with ELEM’s frontline staff and the thousands of teens caught in this escalation. Here is what is happening on the ground right now:
Continuous Outreach
ELEM’s Community and Trauma teams are maintaining constant contact with teens through social media, WhatsApp, phone calls, and digital platforms, ensuring no young person feels abandoned or alone.
Fully Operational 24/7 Shelters
HaLev Tel Aviv, HaLev Haifa, and Galgal Jerusalem are open and reinforced with additional professional staff to provide intensified emotional and physical support.
Expanded Digital Emergency Response
ELEM’s Digital Department conducted accelerated training this weekend, mobilizing additional staff to support the national Virtual Chat service. Operating hours have been extended to ensure teens across Israel can access immediate, professional help.
As families rush to bomb shelters, young people already living on the margins are experiencing compounded trauma, instability, and fear. For many, there is no stable home to return to. No consistent adult to reassure them. No safe place to process what is happening.
And in this moment, ELEM does not close its doors.
(Photos from @elem israel.)
VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTH
November - December 2025 Reports
Recent field reports from ELEM’s Community Department, whose programs include Anashim Tovim, Hafuch, Migdalor, Shluk, and Outreach Vans, reflect a concerning rise in youth exposure to violence across multiple forms.
November 2025
153 out of 735 interventions (22%) involved violence, aggression, or bullying.
53% of incidents were categorized as high or critical severity.
Severe cases included significant physical injuries, coercive relationships, digital humiliation, and ongoing abuse.
Seven conversations during this period centered on suicidality directly linked to bullying or violence.
Patterns observed:
Increased physical violence among boys (fights, assaults, use of pepper spray).
Heightened emotional and social bullying, particularly among girls (exclusion, rumor-spreading, video distribution).
Sexual coercion and digital sexual exploitation.
Escalating “ power and control” dynamics and boundary-testing behaviors that often precede violence.
December 2025
89 out of 676 interventions (13%) included violence or aggression.
Most incidents involved verbal aggression and boundarytesting.
11 documented cases of physical violence.
No clear indications of sexual or online violence reported during this month.
Key Takeaways
Youth violence remains prevalent and deeply intertwined with emotional distress.
The connection between bullying and suicidality is significant and alarming.
Physical violence, digital harm, and coercive dynamics continue to impact vulnerable youth.
ELEM’s 24/7 and community programs are actively intervening, documenting, and responding in real time.
QUOTES
“He stole 10K, assaulted a female boarding school counselor...”
“He started hitting a girl at school...”
“They set off stink bombs, refused to leave...”
“She hit another boy with her phone and he slapped her back...”
This data underscores the urgency of sustained funding and program expansion to address the growing complexity and severity of youth violence in Israel.
FEBRUARY EVENTS RECAP
All You Knead Is Love & Babka
Earlier this month, the ELEM Florida Chapter hosted a special babka-making class with chef Osi Birdseye, founder of Olives & Saffron. The event took place at Temple Beth Am, located in Margate, and it was undoubtedly a huge success!
The event was well attended and brought together many new faces. The majority of attendees were previously unfamiliar with ELEM, and many individuals approached us following the program to express interest in joining the Chapter and getting more involved.
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH A SHORT RECAP OF THE EVENT A SHORT RECAP OF THE EVENT
FEBRUARY EVENTS RECAP
In Conversation with Bracha Shapira, MSW
"At the end of the day, everyone wants a relationship with their family, even if their family has been really awful. As an adult, when you can be in that relationship in a way where you control it, that can be very healing."
"At the end of the day, everyone wants a relationship with their family, even if their family has been really awful. As an adult, when you can be in that relationship in a way where you control it, that can be very healing."
Bracha Shapira, MSW, the Professional Manager of the Trauma Department at ELEM, joined us from Israel over Zoom for a deep dive into her incredible experience working with the most vulnerable youth in Israeli society. This was an exclusive opportunity for board, council members, and staff to engage and learn from Bracha, and we are so grateful for ELEM professionals like her to discuss their roles with us here in the States.
METROWEST NJ VISIT TO ELEM
A Trip from One of Our Funders
Last year, we received funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ to support the Holistic Model in Ofakim. The grant supported both components of the program: the in-school “Shluk” program and the nighttime Outreach Van, serving youth ages 12–26 in a community heavily impacted after October 7.
The program currently reaches roughly 400–500 teens annually and focuses on trauma-informed, informal support to reduce high-risk behaviors and strengthen emotional well-being.
Ariel Erani, the Partnerships Manager at MetroWest NJ, recently visited the Holistic Model in Ofakim this month. On his trip, he was introduced to the nighttime Outreach Van and Shluk space where he engaged with staff and amazing team effort ELEM’s
REBUILDING FROM WITHIN CAMPAIGN
We Have Reached Over 30% of Our Goal
Our Rebuilding from Within campaign is still going, but we still have a while to meet our goal. Our first campaign of the year focuses on supporting youth as they begin the long process of healing and reintegration in their return home to locations affected by October 7 and the ensuing war. Through ELEM’s holistic model of care, we provide consistent, trauma-informed support that meets young people where they are.
We need your support.
We encourage and ask that you help amplify this effort by sharing the campaign with your networks, raising awareness about the challenges facing youth in these communities, and engaging with and sharing ELEM’s content on social media.
2026 ELEM MISSION TO ISRAEL SAVETHEDATE
November8-15
Join us for another eye-opening, week-long mission to Israel, where you will experience ELEM’s work up close and firsthand. Participants will visit our shelters and community programs, meet the professional staff and youth whose lives are being transformed, and engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges facing Israel’s most vulnerable young people today. This mission offers board members a powerful opportunity to deepen their understanding of our impact and strengthen their connection to the work on the ground.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Amy Weishaus
February 20
A very special happy birthday to Amy, our newest addition to the ELEM Florida Chapter Advisory Council! We are so grateful to have you join our leadership circle and look forward to the energy, insight, and heart you bring to our work. Wishing you a year filled with joy, health, and continued impact.
A career high school teacher of English and journalism, Amy cultivates empathy and joy in all of her endeavors. As an author, speaker and advocate, she promotes ECHO: Empowering Conversations of Hope and Opportunity where individuals can be seen, heard and valued while building community.
Amy's enthusiastic leadership has guided excellence in business, education,, health and special needs organizations. For her profile and recorded message, she invites you to view her TEDx Talk, "The Magic of Creating Joy." Then go out and create your own legacy!
