What is Kehilanu?
A Nation in Crisis. A Community for Healing.
Kehilanu has developed a unique response for coping with trauma.
Our model combines diverse, tailored support groups—each designed to address specific types of trauma—together with Trauma-Informed Community Building.
We believe that the integration of personal and group healing processes with a genuine sense of community belonging significantly increases the likelihood of recovery. It uplifts mood, strengthens resilience and self-efficacy, and supports a return to daily life.
Our initiative harnesses both the healing power of support groups and the life-affirming energy of community connection, transforming trauma from an experience of isolation into one of shared understanding and meaning. In doing so, we help participants move from helplessness toward empowerment—fostering deep and lasting healing.
Our support groups incorporate both traditional and alternative therapeutic approaches, adapted to each participant’s trauma experience. Alongside these groups, participants are invited to engage in Trauma-Informed Community Building activities, which provide a shared space for people who have lived through different kinds of trauma to meet, connect, and rediscover belonging.
At the heart of our group process lies the fundamental human need for recognition of one’s trauma. This recognition strengthens one’s capacity to open up to others and fosters the desire to offer that same recognition in return. Within our community spaces, participants simultaneously give and receive acknowledgment, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empathy and mutual support — the foundation of a trauma-informed community.
Why Now?
Israel is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis.
In February 2025, The State of Israel’s Comptroller reported that nearly 40% of the population has been experiencing trauma-related symptoms. Worse, our overwhelmed mental health system is not meeting the demand. Waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment leave suffering people languishing for months or giving up on getting desperately needed professional help. Individual therapy is no longer a viable option to meet Israeli’s ever-expanding needs.
Unresolved trauma is dangerous. It is like a poison, building up with each traumatic event, causing mental anguish, isolation and potentially life-altering or even life-threatening consequences.
At the same time, our once-strong social and communal fabric, which has traditionally served as Israel’s informal means of mutual support in coping with collective trauma, is fraying as society’s sense of solidarity is ripping apart. As social disconnection is a common outgrowth of trauma, this disintegrating social cohesion further amplifies the crippling isolation burdening trauma survivors.
The sad reality is that the majority of Israelis can’t get easily accessible support.
