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Volunteer Trauma Therapists Head to Israel to Help “North Refugees” in Joint Ohel-Marpeh Lanefesh Mission

August 10, 2006
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Contact:
Sarah Cohen — LUBICOM Marketing Consulting
718. 854. 4450 x 111

Three volunteer OHEL trauma therapists are in Israel on an urgent 10-day mission to provide desperately needed therapy and counseling to Israeli families who have fled the heavy shelling in Northern Israel to Bnei Brak. The program is being coordinated by Marpeh Lanefesh, the largest not-for-profit community based-organization in Israel serving the mentally challenged.

Leaders of Ohel and the Board of Directors of Marpeh Lanefesh in the U.S. were at JFK International Airport on August 9^th to bid farewell to the volunteers. Ohel was represented by David Mandel, CEO, COO Manny Wertman, and CFO Naftali Lorch. The Marpeh Lanefesh leadership included Elly Kleinman, President and CEO of the Americare Companies, who serves as Chairman of the American Board of Marpeh Lanefesh and Yedidye Hirtenfeld, a member of the Board and a member of its executive committee.

The urgent mission was organized in response to a direct appeal from the Mayor of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yishochar Frankenthal and Deputy Mayor Mr. Eli Dadon who is responsible for social welfare in the city, to Rabbis Yoel Yosef Buchsbaum and Shmuel Polak, who head Marpeh Lanefesh. Israeli officials are facing an enormous mental health crisis amongst the citizens of the North who have been forced to live in bomb shelters, have had homes destroyed, jobs and businesses lost, and are now “refugees” in their own country.

The three volunteer professionals, who each have extensive experience treating victims of trauma, are Yaacov Nadler, Donny Frank and Miriam Horowitz, therapists at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services under the direction of Mr. Wertman. As part of the mission, the volunteers took boxes of toys to be distributed to the victimized children, thanks to courtesies extended by El Al Israel Airlines. Mr. Mandel, a well known authority on mental health and social welfare issues, specifically thanked Pinny and Judi Shapiro for making the mission possible.

“We felt that as a leading professional organization with extensive experience in trauma therapy, we could not sit idly by as our brothers and sisters in Israel live through these extremely trying times,” said Mr. Mandel.

“There are no words to express our gratitude to Ohel and the three courageous therapists who rose to meet this urgent need,” said Mr. Kleinman. “It is obviously a small beginning in meeting an enormous need that will continue well beyond the cessation of hostilities, but is a significant beginning.”

Upon arrival in Israel on Thursday, the three volunteers were greeted by Rabbis Buchsbaum and Polak, who head Marpeh Lanefesh. The volunteers will set up “shop” at the Bnei Brak Municipality, where they will conduct group therapy sessions for the Jews from the North. They will be received by Mayor Frankenthal of Bnei Brak and also by President and Mrs. Moshe Katsav. The volunteers will be accompanied by leaders of Marpeh Lanefesh and 100 displaced children.

Ohel serves children and adults, individuals and families who are touched by personal challenges. One by one, Ohel helps build and rebuild lives and families. Many of Ohel’s programs include educating the Jewish community about various issues that exist in the community but are not commonly discussed such as the stigma of mental illness, alcohol, drug and gambling addictions and sexual abuse. Ohel can be contacted for more information on their services and to make contributions at www.ohelfamily.org or (718) 851-6300.

Marpeh Lanefesh is an organization known for its success in removing patients from mental health institutions and returning them to the community. Founded by Rabbis Yosef Buchsbaum and Shmuel Polak, the organization serves nearly 450 clients in a network of 31 hostels and apartments throughout Israel, including Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. Marpeh Lanefesh is currently working on gathering whatever resources that are available to help those in need. Contributions are being accepted at www.marpelanefesh.org or for more information, please contact the US office of Marpeh Lanefesh at 718.854.4450 x 100.