Israeli Couple Finds Meaning Living Among Vulnerable in Adi Negev Village
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Odeya and Natai, residents of the Adi Negev Nachalat Eran village, have built a life centered on community and supporting vulnerable populations. Their home is open to volunteers and neighbors, and they regularly interact with patients from the nearby rehabilitation hospital. Natai works with children and soldiers using therapeutic horseback riding, while Odeya manages numerous young volunteers. They believe their children are learning valuable lessons about diversity and coexistence by growing up in this unique environment.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Odeya and Natai live in Adi Negev Nachalat Eran, a village focused on community and rehabilitation.
- Their home is a welcoming space for volunteers, children, and neighbors.
- Natai works with children and soldiers using therapeutic horseback riding.
- Odeya manages around 70 national service volunteers and young adult participants.
- The village hosts residents and patients from a rehabilitation hospital.
- They believe their children are learning valuable lessons about diversity and coexistence.
Odeya and Natai, a couple living in a 120-square-meter house in the Adi Negev Nachalat Eran village, describe their life as deeply fulfilling, centered around community and interaction with individuals often overlooked by society. Their home is a hub of activity, with volunteers, children, and neighbors frequently visiting. The proximity to the village's rehabilitation hospital means they regularly encounter individuals recovering from severe accidents and hardships, which Odeya says provides perspective and gratitude.
Natai, currently on reserve duty for three months, previously maintained a routine of early morning runs and prayer. Odeya manages approximately 70 national service volunteers and young adult participants, working across various departments of the village, including rehabilitation, childcare, education, and agriculture. She expresses deep admiration for the dedication of these young people, calling them "the essence of the good in the world."
Natai works as a therapeutic riding instructor and teacher at the village's agricultural farm, assisting children with special needs, wounded soldiers, and individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress. He finds profound satisfaction in seeing the positive impact of horses on their well-being, especially for soldiers undergoing rehabilitation.
The village, home to about 170 residents including those in the rehabilitation hospital's neurological, orthopedic, and geriatric wards, fosters a close-knit community. Odeya emphasizes that their children are growing up naturally interacting with people with disabilities, learning to live together and appreciate diversity. This unique environment, she states, is a significant reason for their continued commitment to the village, embodying the principle "A world of kindness will be built."