2026 was supposed to be the year of healing for Israel’s youth. Today, however, the path to recovery has been violently interrupted.

As the war between Israel and Iran escalates, our Rebuilding from Within campaign has moved from a mission of long-term recovery to a critical emergency response. For thousands of teens and young adults already scarred by the atrocities of October 7th, the current sirens and strikes are not just headlines: they are triggers that threaten to undo every step of progress they have made.

As our youth were just beginning to reenter their communities and face the "visual scars" of damaged homes and hollowed-out neighborhoods, that fragile stability is now shattered. The "rebuilding" they desperately need is no longer just about the past: it is about surviving the present.

ELEM’s teams are reporting a dire shift on the ground:

A Crisis of Safety
Direct missile strikes, including in Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv (cities where ELEM operates), are creating new waves of grief and immediate loss.
Rising Domestic Tension
Economic stress and confinement are fueling violence and abuse within homes.
The Weight of Service
Young IDF soldiers, many of whom grew up in ELEM programs, are reaching out to our helplines, struggling with the unprecedented emotional toll of what they are experiencing in the field.
Fragmented Recovery
For Arab youth in areas with limited shelter and displaced youth in crowded living conditions, the fear and PTSD are becoming unmanageable.

We cannot let the foundation crumble.

The goal of Rebuilding from Within remains the same: ensuring that no young person navigates recovery alone. However, we must now expand our reach to meet this immediate crisis. We are urgently scaling our remote therapy and digital support to reach youth who are trapped by the conflict or unable to travel safely.

The trajectory of their future depends on our presence today. If we fail to provide a safety net now, the scars of this war will echo for generations.

Your impact is doubled.

The urgency has never been greater, and your help has never gone further. Your donation today will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to a generous supporter who has committed $25,000 in matching funds.

Your support ensures that ELEM can continue to provide trauma-informed care and safe spaces during this dark chapter. Help us protect Israel’s youth today, so they have the strength to rebuild tomorrow.

Rebuilding from Within - CRITICAL EMERGENCY

By American Friends of ELEM

Rebuilding from Within - CRITICAL EMERGENCY

Support for Youth in Israel Amidst the Israel-Iran War