Israeli Trauma Center Pivots from Wellness Retreat to Post-Oct 7 Support

The "Kedem - Beit Marpe" (Kedem - Healing House) initiative, originally planned as a wellness retreat for women experiencing postpartum crises, has transformed into a vital trauma treatment center following the October 7th Hamas attacks. Founders Anat Waldman and Natalie Farkash quickly repurposed their plans, establishing an "integrative emergency room" in Pardes Hanna within three days of the attacks.

Initially serving around 30 women daily, the center expanded its scope to include soldiers returning from combat, the wounded, widows, and later, released hostages and their families. The facility, which began in a small caravan, has become a significant treatment hub offering daily, focused trauma therapy. The demand has led to extensive waiting lists, with over 6,500 individuals treated to date.

One of the founders, Anat Waldman, experienced personal loss when her brother, Colonel Yitzhak Ben Baset, fell in battle in Gaza. This tragedy has deepened her commitment to the center's mission. The other founder, Natalie Farkash, developed a unique five-hour neuro-somatic treatment model that incorporates somatic work, advanced medical technologies, acute pain management, and art therapy for emotional processing.

The center currently operates with a team of 20 specialists and utilizes a simple app for patient intake, bypassing lengthy bureaucratic processes and wait times. Despite its success and proven effectiveness in helping individuals return to functioning, the center faces the threat of closure, prompting calls for public support to continue its operations.