By Nativia Samuelsen

In early December, an ICEJ delegation visited the Sha’ar HaNegev region in southern Israel, next to the Gaza border, where three large new bomb shelters were finally being delivered to protect those receiving counselling for war trauma at a newly expanded and renovated therapy and resilience center. The three pre-cast shelters were lowered onto waiting foundations and new plaques were placed on each one identifying the ICEJ donor branches from four nations across three continents – Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the United States. These shelters will now provide a safety net for Israeli children and adults as they are treated for the emotional and psychological scars still left by the October 7 terror attacks.

“It is incredible to see this project come to life,” enthused Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for Aid & Aliyah, ahead of the shelter deliveries. “These bomb shelters are not just about safety; they are about healing. The larger-than-usual shelters double as therapy rooms, offering children from different schools a safe space to walk to during the day for individual and group therapy, before heading back to class.”

The resilience center also hosts therapy sessions for adults in the evenings, providing critical long-term care for a community where the need for such counselling has soared tenfold since the war began over 14 months ago.

When we arrived, we were welcomed by Rotem Assaf, a local resident with a child in the program. She guided us to the site where the foundations for the shelters had already been laid. One of the largest cranes in Israel stood ready to place the first massive shelter into place.

As we watched the shelter being carefully lowered into place, Rotem shared her perspective as both a resident and parent.

“I studied in this school,” she stated. “Since I was ten, I’ve experienced rocket attacks – not just rockets, but an ongoing reality of danger. When I was a child, I thought I could handle everything. But now, as a mother, it is hard to raise children in this reality. It’s been much more chaotic since the war. I don’t feel safe here, or anywhere in the world, but this community is one big family. We are all here for one another and look after each other.”

“Sometimes at night, they talk to each other about rockets or hostages,” she said of her own children. “I need to help them find strength in themselves to live through these challenges.”

Reflecting on the therapy program’s impact on her daughter, Rotem noted: “She loves her sessions, especially dog therapy. It feels like an after-school club to her, but I can see her confidence growing even in these early stages. She now has a space to just be herself, to play and process what we’ve endured.”

“While playing in therapy, she talks about things like how our house was burned on October 7. That’s not true; there was fire around us and smoke in the house, but this is how she experienced it. It’s something she only shared a year later, when she felt safe enough to talk about it,” Rotem added.

A psychologist at the resilience center echoed Rotem’s assessment of the positive impact of the center, which can now serve more patients with the bomb shelters finally in place.

“I’ve worked in public services for over a decade, but nothing could have prepared me for this,” the counsellor said. “Once the kids moved back to live here, the need for therapy grew. I have patients who had terrorists in their homes and others who didn’t experience direct violence but were evacuated from their schools or homes. Even those not directly affected have been traumatised. Many children were already dealing with fear before October 7, and now we see regression and increased dependency. But before therapy can begin, they need to feel safe. These shelters create that foundation. From there, the children begin to open up.”

About half of the 20 therapists now working at the Sha’ar HaNegev resiliency center come from other parts of the country, to help fill the shortage of local therapists. Together they provide therapeutic care for hundreds of children and teens each week, alongside a growing number of adults.  

As the last shelter was put in place, we saw how installing these large, reinforced safety rooms was no small feat. With 50% of the region’s cranes currently reserved for military purposes, securing the necessary approvals and equipment took months. However, the results have been well worth the effort. The success of the project is due to the collaboration with local councils and the adjacent school, as well as the support of Christians from four nations. The common concern shown by Evangelical believers from four countries, spanning three continents, serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary love many Christians have for Israel.

“As an Israeli, I feel so grateful for the support we receive from the Christian Embassy,” assured Rotem. “It is a reminder that there are people with good hearts who want us to have a sense of normality. I am very thankful for this support”

With hundreds of children receiving therapy care each week and adults attending evening counselling sessions, the shelters we donated are already proving their worth. Beyond offering protection, they are creating spaces where the community can begin to process their experiences and rebuild their lives.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to help Israel recover and rebuild their communities. You can support this vital work by supporting our Israel in Crisis fund.

Please donate today at:  help.icej.org/crisis

Photos: ICEJ/Operation Lifeshield

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