A New Hope for the Children of Israel
Executive Summary
The Nitzan Association, Israel’s leading national organization for children with learning disabilities (LD) and ADHD, is launching a national recovery initiative following the October 7th attack and the war with Iran. Having completed a comprehensive needs assessment, Nitzan is ready to begin implementation at the start of the school year in eight key localities across Israel, providing nearly 20,000 hours of educational and therapeutic services to more than 5,000 children, parents, and teachers.
With decades of proven experience in both routine and emergency response, Nitzan’s national framework – approved by the Ministry of Education – includes remedial teaching, resilience-building programs, parental guidance, and teacher training. The total budget is ILS 9,012,060, with 50% already secured.
This is a national project, and support is welcomed at every level – whether sponsoring specific municipalities, service components, or the full program. Every contribution will directly impact vulnerable children and families as they rebuild their lives.
The Need
Since the October 7th attack and throughout the war, Nitzan has been working to support children with learning disabilities (LD) and ADHD in affected areas, along with their parents and teachers, through complex coping processes. The severe and ongoing trauma is especially burdensome for children, and particularly for those with ADHD who require stability and broad support. No fewer than 2,000 children, parents, and teachers received emotional, educational, and social support from the organization during this time. We assisted during evacuation, upon return to their homes, and beyond. Our integrated support framework ensures that no one is left behind.
Now, with most communities having returned home and in the aftermath of the war with Iran, we are committed to continuing support for the children. In addition to children from evacuated communities, we are now also assisting children in towns that suffered deadly missile attacks from Iran, including Petach Tikva, Bat Yam, and Be’er Sheva. The coming year will be a pivotal one, shaping the recovery paths of children, parents, and teachers alike.
Our Response
Nitzan is the leading organization in Israel with the professional knowledge and tools required to respond to this situation. Accordingly, and in partnership with local authorities and communities, we are building a comprehensive yet flexible service package that can be adapted to the needs of each locality. These include Kisufim, Ofakim, Ashkelon, Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, Bat Yam, Petach Tikva, and Be’er Sheva. We are already operating during the summer break to provide immediate support to children. Our package includes the following services:
Remedial Teaching
Schools will identify students with learning gaps who were not previously diagnosed or are ineligible for government assistance. These students will undergo assessments using Nitzan’s monitoring tools. Nitzan professionals will develop individualized educational, social, and emotional support plans based on the assessments. Nitzan educators will lead small-group sessions (five students per group) for two hours weekly over 30 weeks.
B-Friendly
A program of emotional and social workshops aimed at fostering resilience, self-confidence, empathy, and social skills. Designed for children aged 9–14, the program is trauma- and post-trauma-informed. Each group of 20 participants receives 12 sessions, each one hour long.
Emotional Support Groups
Small group sessions (8 participants) over 12 weeks, led by certified therapists with training and oversight from Nitzan experts.
Parental Support & Guidance
- Emotional Support Hotline: Staffed by professionals, this hotline has handled thousands of calls since October 7th, offering support and assistance, rights guidance, Counseling for coping at home and at school. Session duration is approximately 30 minutes. Complex cases are referred to for ongoing Zoom-based sessions of 40 minutes each, according to each family’s needs.
- Call Center: Up to three personal or couple sessions of 90 minutes each with Nitzan professionals.
- Facebook Community for Parents and Professionals: A space where parents and professionals collaborate, share questions, and receive tools. Professionals facilitate meaningful dialogue. A dedicated manager also leads a community for families of reservists, many of whom are parents of children with LD and ADHD.
- Group Coaching for Parents: 12 two-hour sessions per group (15 parents per group). sessions provide coaching tools to help parents establish routines in the new reality.
- Individual Parent coaching: (individual/couples): 12 weekly sessions.
Psycho-Educational Assessments
Conducted based on recommendations from authorities and schools for children whose condition has worsened. These assessments are performed by certified educational diagnosticians and psychologists and are the basis for personalized intervention plans.
First Grade Readiness
A series of 12 weekly sessions for groups of 10 kindergarten graduates, focused on developing pedagogical, social, and emotional readiness. A critical service for children facing a major transition after trauma.
The Teacher as Coach
A 10-session workshop (3 hours each) using ECC (Emotional Cognitive Coaching) tools. Each workshop trains 20 teachers in empathetic communication, effective dialogue, and student motivation building.
On-the-Job Teacher Training
Weekly classroom-based mentoring over 12 weeks to sustainably improve teaching skills.
Teacher Training and Professional Development
Professional training for teachers in remedial teaching and learning strategies, in collaboration with local authorities and the Ministry of Education.
