When Israel’s reserve soldiers return from the battlefield, their fight often isn’t over. Many come home carrying invisible wounds—anxiety, sleepless nights, and the emotional disorientation of readjusting to civilian life. These men and women may not be clinically diagnosed with trauma, but they face real battles in their hearts and minds.
Through our partnership with Keren Hayesod, Larry Huch Ministries is honored to support the Shavim – Back Home program, a life-changing initiative dedicated to restoring the well-being of Israel’s heroes. Established by the Aviram Foundation and the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization—and officially approved by the Ministry of Defense—Shavim offers holistic, community-based, and academically evaluated care. It’s setting a new standard in national resilience for those who have risked everything to protect the Jewish people.
How It Works
Over an eight-week cycle, participants engage in:
- Therapeutic Support: Evidence-based group sessions such as Stress Inoculation Training, Interpersonal Counseling, and Somatic Experiencing.
- Active Engagement: Nature-based activities including therapeutic horseback riding, agriculture, and movement exercises.
- Complementary Therapies: Yoga, sound healing, and acupuncture, offering gentle, body-centered pathways to recovery.
And it’s working—93% of participants say Shavim helped them reintegrate back home, 89% returned successfully to work, and 98% are highly satisfied with the program’s impact.
Niv’s Story: From Isolation to Renewal
After five months as a paramedic in a reserve battalion, Niv couldn’t return to her normal life. Isolated and overwhelmed, she withdrew from loved ones and even ended her engagement. Through Shavim, she gained tools to manage her anxiety and reconnected with a community that understood her pain. Today, she’s back at work, close with her family, and wakes each morning with renewed strength and a smile.
Proven Results
Partnering with Reichman University’s Faculty of Psychology, Shavim tracks its impact in real time. Results show significant drops in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety—most improvements occurring within the second month of participation.
Looking Ahead
The mission is just beginning. By mid-2026, Shavim aims to increase its spaces by 40% and triple the number of soldiers served. The ultimate goal is full integration into the Ministry of Defense, establishing it as a national model for early, effective mental health intervention.
How You Can Help
Because of your faithful giving to the Israel Relief Fund, Larry Huch Ministries—through our partnership with Keren Hayesod—is able to stand with Israel’s reserve soldiers and provide the support they need to heal, rebuild, and thrive.
Your gift today can help expand the reach of Shavim, provide vital resources for soldiers recovering from trauma, and meet urgent humanitarian needs throughout Israel. Together, we are not only fulfilling the biblical call to bless Israel but also taking part in restoring the lives of those who have defended it.
Now is the time to act. Join us in this prophetic and compassionate mission.
Your Best Is Yet To Come
Larry Huch Ministries
