May 23, 2024

“Quiet Rooms” Provide Space for Evacuees’ Healing

Since the atrocities of October 7, Israelis are facing indescribable trauma and uncertainty, which is why Federation overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) “quiet room” initiative in evacuees’ hotels is so helpful. Employed within hotels where Israelis are living since being forced to flee their communities, the innovative initiative has so far enabled more than 750 Israelis to escape to a peaceful setting away from the pain and stress of their everyday reality. Equipped with low lights, gentle music, virtual reality headsets and other soothing features, these nurturing “quiet rooms” are providing the environment evacuees need to begin the healing process. “The 30 to 60 minutes I spend here help me calm down, and when I leave, I feel completely new,” said Zio Sa’adia, a grieving father who lost his firstborn son in the Second Lebanon War — now retraumatized every time he hears of another fallen soldier. Watch this video to learn what this novel JDC program means to Israelis.