From Ashes to Hope
Rebuilding Nir Oz, Rebuilding Hope
Mental Health First Aid Israel
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based program, active in more than 35 countries and trusted worldwide for over 25 years, with more than 9 million people trained. MHFA equips people with practical tools to recognize distress, listen with compassion, and connect others to help. Across Israel, we train people from all walks of life to provide this vital support. Through the From Ashes to Hope project, we focus especially on survivors and communities along the Gaza border - helping them transform trauma into resilience and empowering them to heal and strengthen those around them.
Shani Goren’s Story
On October 7, 2023, Shani Goren of Kibbutz Nir Oz was kidnapped and held in Hamas captivity for 55 days. In the midst of fear and hunger, she still chose compassion - sharing food with a 12-year-old boy imprisoned with her, giving him strength, and preserving moments of humanity.
Coming home was not easy. Yet out of deep trauma grew resilience. Shani has taken her pain and transformed it into purpose. Today, she stands at the heart of From Ashes to Hope - teaching as a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, helping people across Israel learn to recognize distress, listen without judgment, and connect others to life-saving support.
Shani’s journey is also the journey of her community. Rebuilding Nir Oz, Rebuilding Hope is more than a vision-it is happening now. Through Project Resilience and MHFA, more survivors from the Gaza border are being trained to turn trauma into strength, empowering themselves and those around them to heal.
Shani’s home
Shani’s home on the 7th of October
From the ashes and ruins of our home, this earth carries both memory and hope. With your support, loss can be transformed into renewal.
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MHFA Israel
+972-547919609