Aug 13, 2025

Post-10/7, Federation Is Getting Israelis Back on Track With Employment

“I’m not exaggerating when I say they saved my life,” said October 7 survivor Omer Rafaeli, who owes his resilience to the Federation-funded Back on Track employment program for traumatized Israelis. Rafaeli, his wife and three young daughters endured the nightmare of the Hamas attacks in their safe room at Kibbutz Gvulot and when they emerged, his life and livelihood were forever changed. As a teacher in the only high school in the Gaza envelope, the anguish of having five students murdered that day prevented him from returning to the classroom. “My helplessness was overwhelming,” he said. Back on Track, an employment initiative addressing trauma, helped Rafaeli channel his teaching skills into his love of physical fitness. Upon his return to Kibbutz Gvulot, he opened Yotam Studio, where “movement meets healing.” There, he promotes resilience and well-being through exercise. Shared Rafaeli, “If I hadn’t had something to hold onto, something to aim for, I don’t what would’ve happened.”