AJMA Trauma Mission

• Departure flight to Israel.

NOTE: The first day’s itinerary is subject to change depending on the flight arrival.

• Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport, with VIP assistance by a Makor Educational Journeys representative.
• Drive to Tel Aviv.
• Check in to the hotel.
• Opening session at the hotel.
• Opening dinner with Expressive Arts Therapist Leetal Caidar Benzvi, from the Orot Healing Couples Initiative.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart the hotel and visit NATAL, the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center of the Israel Trauma Coalition. Presentation by Judith Recanati, founder and CEO of NATAL.
• Visit the Niv Nirel center at Hadassah Ne’urim youth village with Tami Raviv & Kfir Feffer.
• Lunch on own en route.
• Afternoon program with ICAR, a collective which brings together leading experts in medicine, psychology, public health, philanthropy, and investment, to accelerate trauma healing to safeguard the health, productivity, and security of Israel. Meet with Eyal Fruchter, Co-Founder & Director of Science & Medical Affairs and Gila Tolub, Co-Founder & Executive Director (meeting room in hotel or en route back to Tel Aviv).
• Dinner on your own and free evening.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• My Wave – Surfing for Trauma Victims.
• Depart for the Western Negev.
• Visit the town of Sderot, a symbol of Israel’s longstanding conflict with Hamas, with a short visit to the site of the demolished police station and a conversation with Ayelet Shmuel, director of the new International Resilience Center.
• Visit the Animal–assisted Therapy and Resilience Center.
• Visit the October 7th Education Center.
• Lunch in Kibbutz Alumim, followed by a visit.
• Stop and pay tribute at the site of the Nova Festival at Re’im Park.
• Meet with a ZAKA representative at the Nova Festival site.
• Drive to Moshav Emunim for dinner and a processing session at the Space.
• Return to the hotel.

• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
• Start the day at the Healing Space in Rishpon with Ilana Kwartin and Ira Khudyak.
• Tel Aviv University:
  • Meet with Professor Yair Bar-Haim, Clinical Psychologist at the School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University.
  • Visit The National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience.
• Drive to Beit Oved and visit the Israel Guide Dog Center.
• Lunch on own en route.
• Continue to Moshav Sitria and visit Danny’s Farm: A Haven for healing in the wake of October 7.

                        OR

• Visit the Psychiatric Hospital in Nes Ziona.

OR

• Visit EmotionAid in Ramle (or Rishon Letzion) and meet with its founder, a trauma therapist, international trainer, and former biotech executive Cathy Lawi. Hear how she envisioned a practical and accessible method of providing emotional first aid through brief, effective interventions for those facing intense stress and trauma.
• Drive to Jerusalem.
• Check in to the hotel.
• Dinner at the hotel with processing session.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Meet with Danny Brom, founding director of the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psycho-Trauma of Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem (possibly together with Yehezkel Caine – also from Herzog Hospital), followed by a meeting with Chaim Landau and Yehuda Lapian from Peace of Mind, a therapeutic intervention in which IDF veterans receive time and space to process their combat experiences (at Herzog Hospital).
• Visit United Hatzala and meet with Rachel Feld.
• Visit the Machane Yehuda Market for lunch on own.
• Free time to explore Jerusalem as it winds down for Shabbat/weekend.
• Optional Challah-making workshop
• Shabbat dinner with friends and family (on own), or at the hotel (additional cost).

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Optional Shabbat services.
• Optional self-guided tours.
• Shabbat lunch on own or at the hotel (additional cost).
• Afternoon for rest and relaxation.
• Havdallah.
• Dinner and evening on own.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Ayelet Razin from the Dinah Project: “The Gender Violence of October 7”.
• Visit the newly opened Silver Center for Resilience in the Sha’arei Zedek Medical Center, providing emotional support to reserve soldiers, security forces, and their families, while providing tools to deal with the implications of service on civilian life and meet with child and adult psychiatrist, Jennie Goldstein.
• Lunch on own.
• Meet with Gila Rockman and Kayla Kalkstein from the Ariel Center, dedicated to empowering Israelis and strengthening inner resilience through sport.
• Return to the hotel for rest and relaxation.
• Dinner at a Jerusalem restaurant.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit to the new Rehab Center of Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus.
• Workshop with Dan Deutch, a certified wilderness therapist and group facilitator.  Since October 7^th, he has worked with numerous regular and reserve soldiers in both post- and pre-combat workshops, relating directly to issues of trauma and re-engaging in society.
• Free time for self-exploration, last-minute shopping and packing.
• Check out of the hotel.
• Festive farewell dinner at a restaurant in Jerusalem with a wrap-up conversation.
• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport.

Program is subject to change, pending confirmations.