By: Laurina Driesse

A little haven in the south of Israel is providing a place of safety for abused, traumatised and homeless Israeli women, thanks to help from the ICEJ.

Situated in Beersheva, this sanctuary shelters Israeli women from all walks of life, each with their own unique story to tell. They are referred to the shelter by Israeli social services, or by anti-violence organisations, detox facilities, and friends or family.

The women who come to this shelter usually do not qualify for any existing social program and thus the State cannot provide for them. This includes, for example, victims of abuse who are not suffering psychiatric damage severely enough to be treated in a hospital or special hostel, yet at the same time they are not mentally stable enough to cope with normal life. They also take in women who do not qualify for a battered women’s shelter if the abusive husband is imprisoned. Often, these women may not have a roof over their head, or any other means of survival. The situation is further complicated in cases where it involves new immigrants who do not have the support of nearby family and friends. In situations like these, this special shelter steps in.

“Our shelter is there to show God’s love in action, to provide a peaceful and homely atmosphere (not just housing) and surround them with people who truly care for them and are eager to become their supporting family”, shares Tatyana, the shelter manager.

Dedicated staff work closely with social services for each woman, meeting weekly with a counselling committee to help the women solve their social and legal issues. They also prepare them for living independently.   

Some women stay in the shelter only for a few days, while others may remain for up to a year or more, depending on their circumstances. This past year, 14 new women sought refuge there.

The generosity of our donors allowed the ICEJ to be instrumental in the establishment of this shelter, which not only provides a place of safety and rest, but also mentors and encourages the women.

“These women arrive broken and unable to find their way on their own”, explains Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID and Aliyah. “Due to the mentoring support and practical assistance, they receive there, the women leave knowing that they are loved and that there is hope and a good future in store for them. We are honored to help provide them an opportunity to regroup and start afresh.”

Anat* was a victim of sexual abuse with severe psychiatric problems. While in the shelter, she was helped to apply for a disability allowance and other benefits. After staying for a year, she was able to move to a hostel for people with similar conditions. Her mentor keeps in touch, and we are pleased to report that she is now doing well and is also in contact with her family.

Here at the Christian Embassy, we have a deep desire to see families in Israel strengthened, and thus we are thrilled to see how lives are being transformed and families reunited due to our support for this shelter. Recently, Jasmine*, a single mother who arrived with her baby, said her farewells after a stay of 18 months. It was not an easy journey, however. After being at the shelter for six months, social services agreed to return her oldest son to her from a foster home. Since leaving the shelter, Jasmine has found employment and moved into a rented apartment. More good news has followed, as social services is now preparing to return her other two children to her as well.

Among the newest arrivals to the shelter is 67-year-old Sarah*, who fled to Israel to escape a violent husband that threatened to kill her. The shelter became a haven for her and assisted in getting her legal status and social allowances in place, as well as to find employment and preparing her for an independent life.

Meanwhile, Karen*, a new arrival in her forties, had turned to alcohol to dull the pain of living with an abusive husband. What was a tool to numb pain became an addiction. But we are excited to share that she completed the detox process very quickly and miraculously is now clean. Karen enjoys attending the shelter’s Shabbat dinners and the shelter manager, Tatyana, is dedicating much time to teaching and guiding her.

Betty* (24 years old) was born in Israel to Russian-immigrant parents. Her father, to whom she was very attached, abused drugs and alcohol. When Betty was 12 years old, her parents divorced, leaving her devastated. Although she had a knowledge of God, she struggled with identity issues and found it difficult to relate to friends. In the army, she found friends and a place to shine where her natural leadership abilities gained her a responsible position in her unit. She dedicated herself fully to her job, which included many night shifts, to the neglect of her own health. Soon the lack of sleep, constant stress, poor eating habits and lack of nutrition took its toll.

When Betty completed her army service and entered civilian life, she began suffering severe headaches with pain that extended to her neck and the rest of her body. After multiple doctor’s appointments she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She tried different medicines, but nothing seemed to help her, until someone suggested she try medical cannabis. This gave some relief from the pain, but the drug also clouded her thinking and deteriorated her emotional state. She soon fell into company with friends who were smoking cannabis recreationally and they became a bad influence on her.

When Betty found her way to the shelter, she was finally able to get free from cannabis and other psychiatric medication which she had once used to treat the fibromyalgia. Today, Betty also has restored her relationship with God and is no longer suffering from depression. Now feeling a new lease on life, she is learning to care for herself by eating healthily and exercising regularly. As Betty put it, “I want to keep fighting for my life!”  This change was possible because of the support she received at the shelter.

Your generous support has made a positive impact not only in Betty’s life, but in the lives of other Israeli women at the shelter. Thank you for restoring hope to women who are suffering and in crisis.

To help us offer a Future and a Hope to many others, please donate today, using the button below. 

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.