Therapeutic Writing Workshop for Women in Beit Shemesh
A recently held workshop at the Young Adults Center in Beit Shemesh brought together a group of young women — discharged soldiers, active-duty soldiers, and national service graduates — for an intimate and moving writing experience.
The workshop was led on a voluntary basis by Yael Belkind Eran — a bibliotherapist and poet, and a volunteer with HELPTSD — who introduced participants to writing as a deep and meaningful therapeutic tool.
Throughout the session, Yael combined professional insights with experiential exercises that invited participants to write from within, about themselves, and for themselves.
At the beginning of the session, the organization’s CEO, Dekel Tzur, and Operations Manager Eitan Feldman joined briefly to present the organization’s work and the support options available to the participants and their families moving forward.
As a heartfelt gesture, Yael left the organization a signed copy of her short story collection — and we are proud to celebrate her work.
Special thanks to Tamar Vaknin from the Young Adults Center for the connections, organization, and generous spirit — thanks to you, a thoughtful and meaningful workshop came to life, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the city.
Prayer Writing Workshop – “In Place of Prayer”
In a powerful, one-time gathering, a unique prayer-writing workshop was held for young women — discharged soldiers, active-duty service members, pre-enlistees, and national service graduates — in collaboration with the Schechter Gallery.
The workshop was led by Chen Amram — a teacher and teacher trainer, poet, content creator, and activist. Chen, one of the key partners at Neve Schechter Gallery (and not the first collaboration with HELPTSD), is a graduate of the Revivim Program, holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Jewish Studies, and a master’s degree in Jewish History (from the Hebrew University and the University of London), as well as a certificate in educational leadership from Harvard University.
In the workshop, we searched for words for what has not yet been spoken: How do we write the guiding pillar before the camp? How do we describe what we aspire to, rather than what currently exists?
Within a shared and supportive writing space, participants were invited to connect with themselves, their deepest aspirations, and to articulate their call, request, demand, or direction — through poetry, prose, whispers, or cries.
The workshop emerged from a broader project by Schechter Gallery called “Prayer Radio,” which includes a series of gatherings and listening sessions — but this time was held as a standalone activity, outside the series and without recordings, in order to create a personal and intimate space.
We would also like to thank Tamar Vaknin from the city’s Young Adults Center for the initiative, organization, and connections — without which this workshop would not have been possible.
