Alongside the support the organization provides to active soldiers and their families, it is equally important to prepare the next generation — those who will become the officers of tomorrow — to offer emotional and psychological support to the soldiers under their command.
To this end, we conducted two sessions — the first via Zoom and the second in person — with participants of the Havatzalot Program of the Intelligence Corps, engaging in an in-depth discussion on tools for coping with challenges and crises.
The Havatzalot Program is a flagship track of the Intelligence Corps, combining military service with an academic degree in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, alongside one of several analytical disciplines such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, or Philosophy. Following a highly selective screening process, approximately 60 participants are admitted each year and trained to become leading intelligence officers, dealing with issues at the core of national and military priorities.
first meeting
As part of our initial introduction to these outstanding participants, we held a Zoom session attended by Eitan Feldman — Operations Manager, Dekel Tzur — CEO, Lior Levi — Chair of the organization, and Eden Shalev — Head of the Social Support Network.
The session focused primarily on Lior Levi’s story of founding the organization — the need he identified at the time and the momentum that continues to drive the mission forward to this day — as well as Eden Shalev’s personal story of injury, recognized by the Ministry of Defense on both physical and psychological grounds.
Eden shared her deeply impactful experience and ongoing rehabilitation journey, what helped her cope, and how she came to join the organization and became a central figure within it. Today, she leads a structured support network that brings together discharged combat soldiers and students from therapeutic fields to provide one-on-one support for those affected by the “Swords of Iron” war and previous conflicts. What began as phone-based support for four individuals with very different stories and a unique connection has grown into a comprehensive support framework. Along the way, it became clear to everyone that Eden’s role held a greater purpose — one that allows her to give so much of herself, while also describing how supporting others has, in turn, strengthened her own personal journey.
It was evident that the course participants were deeply moved by the session and gained a great deal from it. We were equally grateful for the opportunity to share even a small part of ourselves with them. They asked thoughtful questions, showed genuine interest, and truly felt p
Second meeting
A few days later, we hosted the program participants at the Meteor Center in Herzliya, together with Matan Zamir — a volunteer in the organization with extensive knowledge of mental health injuries among soldiers. Matan shared his personal story, how he came to know the organization, his ongoing reserve duty, and his workplace, where he returns between reserve call-ups that he continues to undertake with great pride.
Following this, Eitan Feldman presented the organization’s day-to-day operations, the new challenges that have emerged during the war, our unique support approaches, the inclusive and team-oriented philosophy we uphold, and the full scope of HELPTSD’s activity from its founding to the present day — concluding with an open Q&A session.
To conclude, our future officers committed to applying what they had learned in order to ensure the best possible mental well-being for the soldiers under their command — both in the near and long term — as well as to raise awareness and share the insights they gained with others.
As always, it was a true pleasure for us, and we enjoyed the experience just as much as these outstanding participants. We also presented them with gifts — shirts, hats, and certificates of appreciation — in recognition of their willingness to learn and contribute.
With young people like these, the future looks brighter than ever.
