Healing Across the Divides

Amidst turmoil, rooftop gardens in Jenin & Al-Jalazone refugee camps bloom as symbols of resilience. Women find joy & strength nurturing seedlings, fostering community & hope. These gardens empower self-sufficiency, offering therapy & connection. #resilience #hope #palestine #healingacrossthedivides Read more: https://lnkd.in/e65Q2yNE

Healing Across the Divides grantee, Mother Tongue, is creating a space where new moms can connect, learn, and grow together. Veronica Vigdorchik, our Program Director – Israel, recently visited their post-baby class and witnessed the magic firsthand! So, what makes this program so impactful? The moms themselves say: ? A warm, welcoming start—coffee, a bite to eat, and a moment to breathe before diving into meaningful discussions. ?? Flexibility to care for their babies in a pressure-free, supportive environment. ?? Trust that builds naturally—starting with shared motherhood experiences, then opening doors to deeper conversations on multiculturalism and identity. ?? Friendships that extend beyond the sessions—visiting each other’s homes, strengthening bonds. ??♀? A space for body and emotions—workshops that foster connection beyond words. Mother Tongue is more than a class—it’s a community where moms find belonging, acceptance, and a perfect balance between being mothers and simply being themselves. ??

Last week’s webinar, Navigating Forward: Strengthening Resilience in Uncertain Times, highlighted that despite escalating tensions, Healing Across the Divides remains steadfast. Over 80 community-driven proposals were submitted in response to our call for health initiatives—proof of resilience in West Bank refugee camps, the Negev, and beyond. Projects like Palestine: Sports for Life (exercise and nutrition for women and adolescent girls in West Bank refugee camps) and Wahat al-Salam - Neve Shalom (mental health services in Israel) were highlighted. Together they exemplify how grassroots efforts foster healing, health, and dignity—prioritizing peace even in conflict. As geopolitical shifts loom, our focus sharpens on empowering women and nurturing future peacemakers. Join us in championing community-led solutions! Your support fuels transformative collaborations. ?? Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eJ9K6pkZ

The newly funded Health+ initiative, spearheaded by the Palestinian Consultative Staff (PCS) for Developing NGOs and supported by Healing Across the Divides, is set to significantly boost community health initiatives in Western Jenin. This program, vital for areas with limited access to medical resources due to the ongoing conflict, employs the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. It fosters essential support systems for both physical and mental well-being. Husam, PCS’s Project Manager, inspired by his wife's battle with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, emphasizes the critical role of community support, especially for those with restricted healthcare access. The initiative trains community members to promote healthy lifestyles and chronic disease management. Through this effort, healthcare becomes a supportive safety net, aiming for resilience and confidence in every individual's life. #healthresilience #communitysupport #chronicdiseasemanagement #healingacrossthedivides

At Healing Across the Divides, we proudly spotlight our grantee, Elifelet, whose mission is to ignite the personal spark in every child by offering dynamic extracurricular programs. Through diverse activities such as sports, music, arts, and programming, Elifelet empowers children to explore their passions and talents. Under the mentorship of Yoel Epstein, Elifelet's music program thrives with 68 enthusiastic students. His dedication, along with other volunteers, has transformed the music program into a nurturing ground for young musicians. Success stories like G., who received a donated computer to explore her coding talents, and Y., a violin prodigy advancing at the Jaffa Conservatory, demonstrate the life-changing opportunities provided. Similarly, K., A., D., and G. flourish in basketball under Coach Avshalom Roth, now competing in the Hapoel Tel Aviv Youth League. Moreover, our art classes have unearthed remarkable talents, like M., who, amid personal loss, discovered his passion for drawing. At Elifelet, extracurricular activities are much more than mere classes; they’re gateways to growth, resilience, and lifelong interests. Join us in celebrating Elifelet's unwavering dedication to fostering ambition and promise in every child.? ?#healingacrossthedivides #elifelet #supportyouth #discoveryourspark #empowermentthrougheducation

Join Us for the Healing Across the Divides Webinar! ?? February 23rd ?? Time: 10 AM EST We are thrilled to announce that?Sam Bahour, the esteemed Palestinian-American businessman, writer, and activist, will be a featured special guest. Sam will share his invaluable insights on economic development and Palestinian empowerment. This is an incredible opportunity to learn from his experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue. ??Learn more about Sam Bahour:? https://lnkd.in/dVAr_kEC ???? Don’t miss out —?Register now:? https://lnkd.in/e9-R4CZm #HATDwebinar #SamBahour #EconomicDevelopment #Palestine

On February 23rd, Healing Across the Divides is hosting a powerful conversation featuring staff, grantees, and special guests. Hear from experts including Nehad Fattah, Veronica Vigdorchik, Tova Reznicek, Norbert Goldfield, and distinguished guests Dahlia Scheindlin (author and pollster) & Sam Bahour (businessman, writer, activist). We'll also highlight the incredible work of our grantees: ?? Palestine: Sports for Life ?? Wahat Al-Salam-Neve Shalom (Israeli) Don’t miss this chance to learn, engage, and be part of the conversation! Register now: https://lnkd.in/e9-R4CZm For questions, reach out to [email protected].

We are thrilled to announce that Healing Across the Divides grantee, Al-Baqour, has opened another cycle of the acclaimed 'Ana Watify' ('Me and My Child') program in Segev Shalom and Rahat. This initiative is meeting an overwhelming demand and continuing to make a significant impact in the lives of many families. Organizations like Al-Baqour play a crucial role in building bridges and fostering understanding across communities during challenging times. Their commitment to improving health and well-being resonates deeply, highlighting the importance of supporting such initiatives. Al-Baqour's efforts are a testament to the power of community-driven health solutions, emphasizing the need for continuous support. We invite you to join us in maintaining and expanding this vital mission. Your contributions ensure that programs like 'Ana Watify' can thrive and offer new cycles of opportunity and healing to those in need. #healingacrossthedivides #albaqour #communityimpact #supportandhealing #peacethroughhealthcare

In the heart of Palestinian refugee camps, where daily challenges are immense, the My Lifestyle, My Program initiative by Palestinian Sports 4 Life (PS4L) is making an impact. This incredible program is opening doors for young girls to thrive through the power of sports. By breaking barriers and building confidence, these young athletes are learning about nutrition, embracing leadership, and shaping a healthier, stronger future. Through structured physical activities, participants are developing resilience, teamwork, and a profound understanding of health and nutrition. As Ola, our dedicated Program Coordinator, shares: "This program is a wonderful opportunity to teach healthy and positive thinking among vulnerable groups, especially teenagers. Programs like this pave the way for increased awareness and deeper knowledge. Thank you for making this initiative a reality!" Join us in celebrating and supporting the transformative work of PS4L! Together, let's build a brighter future for these incredible young Palestinian girls. #empowerthroughsports #PS4L #healingacrossdivides #strongertogether

Mark your calendars for February 23rd! Healing Across the Divides is excited to host a webinar featuring our staff, special guests—including our Palestinian representative Nehad Fattah, our Israeli representative Veronica Vigdorchik, HATD's Communications Director Tova Reznicek, our Executive Director Norbert Goldfield, and special guest Dahlia Scheindlin—with more guests to be announced. Grantees will also present their incredible work, making this a fantastic opportunity to learn about our impact in the region. Register now to be part of this important conversation! https://lnkd.in/e9-R4CZm #healingacrossthedivides #peacethroughhealthcare #webinar