The way of the sea Healing Farm

Bet miriam | Kibbutz Palmachim | DEC 2024

Before you read, please take a moment to listen and watch:

"Bet Miriam" is a recognized non-profit organization that operates and manages the sea Museum active in the field of education since 2005, located in Kibbutz Palmachim—a quiet gem of tranquillity.

"Bet Miriam", in collaboration with "Ziv Neurim", a non-profit organization, has established a shared maritime centre. "Ziv Neurim" has been working with at-risk youth and combat trauma survivors for 24 years, utilizing the sea. In regular times, the maritime center serves at-risk youth, educating approximately 600 teenagers every month.

Following the events of October 7th, we realized the need to address a broader range of needs. We raised a one-time donation to launch a healing program for civilians and soldiers affected by the war.

The program, led by "Bet Miriam", is clinically supervised by Yoram Ben-Yehuda and operationally supervised at sea by "Ziv Neurim". The program is tailored to the characteristics of the group, including age, gender, and needs, as determined in advance by the group facilitator from the "Drachim" Institute (Yoram Ben-Yehuda).

About Yoram Ben-Yehuda | A specialist clinical and medical psychologist, Yoram is the former commander of the military unit for treating battle shock victims. He is the founder of "Drachim" Institute for treating PTSD, bereavement, and loss. Yoram brings decades of experience, including roles such as Commander of Ichilov’s Psychiatry Division, Head of the IDF Mental Health Unit, a member and chairman of the professional committee for medical psychology at the Ministry of Health, and a member of the National Council for Post-Trauma.

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

13:30-14:30

Concluding in a discussion circle with an accompanying therapist

Cost per participant (group of 10-15, for 8-12 sessions): 570 ILS. 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)

Since May 9th, we hosted our first group and have since experienced a constant stream of groups and requests to participate in the program. The need is evident, and so is the impact. Over 50 groups, each consisting of 15-30 participants, have participated to date.

:Some groups we’ve hosted include

Community leaders and regional council heads from Eshkol
Community leaders and regional council heads from Sha’ar HaNegev
Sha’ar HaNegev “Yachdav” staff
Military units from Gaza who lost team members after October 7th
Communities from the Gaza envelope – community rehabilitation

Returnees from captivity – civilians released from captivity
Mothers bereaved from the Nova party
Fathers bereaved from the Nova party
Siblings of the bereaved

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! ❤

please take a moment to listen and watch:

From The Press

Taiwan's surprising involvement for the victims of October 7

To read the article

A sea of calm

To read the article

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