Jennifer Levine, Senior Director, Israel & Overseas
Last September, participants from the 5th Detroit Federation Solidary Mission were able to attend the grand opening of the Adama Tova (“Good Earth”) North Branch Center in Nahalal, a moshav in the Jezreel Valley, a municipality of our Partnership Region in Israel.
The Adama Tova Healing Center was founded in the aftermath of the tragic terror attacks on October 7, 2023. It was established to provide immediate support to the survivors and families of the victims of the Nova Music Festival massacre.
Run entirely by volunteers, their centers are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of a specific segment of Israeli society dealing with the profound impact of a mass-casualty event. Their centers foster a supportive, therapeutic community. Adama Tova provides an open space for discussions, informal meetings, bonfires, live performances and an art studio. Additionally, every day they offer regular groups and workshops in various fields.
The branch in the Jezreel Valley that our community supported with a gift of $50,000 was initiated by Aviela and Sagi Chiell, who lost two of their children, Gidi and Noa. Gidi and Noa only wished to dance at the Nova Festival. The last call from them was received on Saturday, October 7th at 6:28 AM. Noa told Aviela: “We are on our way home.” Noa and Gidi did not return from Nova. Their parents and friends deal with the grief, pain and sadness daily. Searching for a space that would help them contain the vast amounts of sadness and pain they were struggling with, Sagi and Aviela arrived at Adama-Tova in Sitria.
Embracing the communal and therapeutic hug they received there, Aviela realized that there is a great need for an identical center of Adama Tova in their area, to make it accessible to those who do not live in the center of the country.
The goal of this new branch is to create connections between families, to create a community that can be approached when it is difficult, to build a close and accessible place where the pain is seen without needing to explain. Just like a space that heals the soul should be.
14 young men and women that grew up together in “Ahuzat Barak”, a small community village in the Jezreel Valley, went to the Nova party. Only 7 returned.
“I couldn’t scrape myself off the couch until I got to Adama Tova. It is without a doubt my second home today. It helps me live with the unbearable that happened to us.”
