The Situation in Neve Hanna, June 19, 2025.
On October 7, 2023, reality changed for the citizens of Israel. Since then, for around one and three-quarters of a year, Neve Hanna has been trying to respond to the additional therapeutic needs of its children and teens, many of whom experienced the events in Sderot, Netivot, and Ofakim, while visiting parents or relatives. About a week ago, life in Israel – and therefore also in Neve Hanna – took another turn.
Just a few hours after we were warned to stay near shelters in the early morning hours of June 13, 2025, the first missile attacks from Iran came in. A hit in a nearby village showed us that we were dealing with rockets of a completely different explosive dimension. Not an easy situation for all civilians who are exposed to this, especially when it comes to children who are anyway traumatized.
Due to the war, Neve Hanna, as a warm home for our children, is obliged to take care of all their needs. The children do not go to school and cannot visit their parents or relatives on weekends. Neve Hanna must care for them 24/7. In such a situation, it is of the utmost importance that children always have adults at their side whom they know and trust. This gives them significantly more support and security in a frightening situation that also brings a
lot of uncertainty. However, this requires an enormous increase in workforce, most of which is provided by Neve Hanna’s team. However, in order to provide some relief for our employees, who often have families with children themselves, we have brought in additional workers to master this situation.
We also need to look at supporting Zoom learning, offering more tutoring courses, and must provide physically and mentally enriching leisure activities. Sport, various games, and many creative activities to exercise and challenge the children physically and to distract them mentally. The sports teacher, who is usually with us two or three afternoons a week, was temporarily hired full-time. Many employees strive to maintain a routine, but at the same time also to keep their work varied.
But most importantly, after all, Neve Hanna’s children experienced traumata at a young age and are still struggling with the consequences of October 7, 2023. Situations like the current war cause additional severe traumata. For the well-being of our children, Neve Hanna must provide immediate and comprehensive responses to acute emotional needs. This is currently happening primarily in our petting zoo in the form of animal-assisted therapy.
We also increased the number of other therapies we regularly offer. In view of the serious impact that the current situation is having not only on the children, but also on all employees, we have brought in a psychiatrist who provides us with important support and contributes to the effort to reduce the likelihood of long-term trauma.
These are challenging times. We do our best for the well-being of our children. We are grateful that our solidarity provides a lot of strength and energy, and our community sticks together. We are equally grateful for the many inquiries from abroad and the many good wishes. We are blessed with wonderful friends.
Thank you for standing by our side!
With best regards on behalf of the leadership of the Neve Hanna Children´s Home,
Antje C. Naujoks
Public Relations and Resource Development
© Antje C. Naujoks, Neve Hanna Children´s Home
American Friends of Neve Hanna 