Bet miriam | Kibbutz Palmachim | 2026
Before you read, please take a moment to listen and watch:
The "Beit Miriam" association is a well-known association that manages the "Sea Museum and All That" and has been operating in the field of education since 2005, in Kibbutz Palmachim.
The "Beit Miriam" association, in collaboration with the "Ziv Ne'urim" association, established a joint marine center. "Ziv Ne'urim" is an association that has been working for at-risk and war-affected youth, with the help of the sea, for about 24 years. Our marine center for at-risk youth is currently operating normally, and in recent years, about 600 youth have been educated there every month.
Following the events of the October 2023 Seven, we realized that we needed to address a broader range of needs. We raised a one-time donation from the Taiwanese government to establish a resilience center for civilians and soldiers affected by the war.
The program is led by the "Beit Miriam" association, and supervised at the therapeutic level by Yoram Ben-Yehuda, a specialist clinical psychologist and a specialist medical psychologist, and at the work level by the "Ziv Ne'urim" association. The program is tailored according to the characteristics of the group: age, gender, and need, as reviewed in advance by the group facilitator from the "Drachim" Institute (Yoram Ben-Yehuda).
Yoram Ben-Yehuda | Specialist clinical psychologist and specialist medical psychologist. Former commander of the military unit for the treatment of combat response victims, establishing the "Roads Institute" for the treatment of PTSD victims, bereavement and loss. Yoram has extensive experience of decades in a variety of roles, including: Commander of the Yakar Ichilov, Commander of the National Military Police, Mental Health Unit, member and chairman of the professional committee for medical psychology of the Ministry of Health, member of the National Council for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
:Sample Day Schedule
9:00
Gathering in an intimate, closed space facing the sea
9:30
Beginning of dry/water activities
12:30-13:30
Light lunch
Concluding in a discussion circle with an accompanying therapist
13:30-14:30
A day of activity includes:
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Morning coffee and refreshments in a private area
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Maritime activities (equipment, insurance, wetsuits, 1:5 instructor ratio)
/ shore activities (e.g., breathing workshops, writing, sculpture)
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Light lunch
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Discussion circle with a specialist therapist (PTSD, bereavement)
On May 9, 2024, we hosted the first group that came to us and since then there has been a constant stream of groups and requests to take part in the program. The need is clear and so is the return. Over 4,000 people have taken part in the activity.
:Some groups we’ve hosted include
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Community leaders and jurists Tzachi - M.A. Eshkol / Shaar Hanegev
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Team Together Shaar Negev
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Regular teams
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Communities from the envelope - community rehabilitation (Gebaram, Nirim, Kfar Gaza, and more)
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The returnee group - citizens who returned from captivity
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Bereaved mothers
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Bereaved fathers
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Bereaved siblings
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Nova Survivors
Participant Responses
On behalf of the group and myself, we thank you for an incredible day that brought some light to dark days. Some participants went out for the first time since October 7th and couldn’t stop expressing gratitude. You are an outstanding team, from planning to execution. Please pass this message to Ofri, Noga, Hila, Yaniv, the amazing Moran, Ido, and the entire Ziv Neurim team, as well as the Palmachim community (apologies if I forgot someone). Better days are ahead. 🙏 Much love and appreciation! ❤
Watch the video produced for "By the Sea"
Eviatar David plays with us with Hatikva 6, just a day after his return from captivity
Pictures from the day
The Healing Power of the Sea Working with the sea enhances mental well-being. The experience of being at sea is a “restorative environment,” releasing the mind from rapid, sharp urban stimuli (Kaplan 1955), offering a natural retreat and a sense of unity, an extraordinary connection, and boundless power (Ackerman 2017). It’s the “cathedral of the soul” (Anderson 2013).
Bet Miriam non-profit organization | number: 580446128
Make a donation
Your support can help us continue this critical work, providing a healing space for those who need it most- reservists, civilians, and others who are not cared for by the by state programs. By contributing, you enable us to fund participants in need and enhance the infrastructure required to sustain our vital activities. Together, we can bring light to those navigating the darkest times and ensure that this sanctuary remains a place of hope and healing for all.
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