ABOUT
FORTIFY ISRAEL

In the weeks following October 7, 2023, thousands of families from the Gaza envelope were forced to evacuate. Some relocated to Jerusalem, leaving behind their homes, communities, and livelihoods in search of safety from rocket fire.

​

As we stepped in to meet their urgent needs, we built deep connections with many families communities in the South — and Charedi (ultra-Orthodox) communities in particular. Over time, it became clear that one critical need remained unmet by existing aid efforts:

​

Mental health support for children and teens.

​

Local trauma centers were overwhelmed, offering only urgent care for individuals in severe distress. But for the thousands of young people quietly struggling with fear, anxiety, and loss—there was nowhere to turn.

​

That’s why we founded Fortify Israel: to ensure that traumatized youth receive the support they need to restore their mental health and build lasting resilience.

​

We began by developing trauma-informed curricula for educators—equipping them to integrate therapeutic tools into classrooms and group settings. By training trusted teachers to lead emotionally supportive interventions, we gave students safe spaces to process, cope, and grow—without stigma and within their community.

​

As our work deepened, we realized that we were uniquely positioned to reach a profoundly underserved population: Charedi communities.

​

National mental health organizations do not operate inside these communities. While local Charedi services offer therapy for individuals in crisis, there is no broad, proactive mental health education infrastructure in place.

​

At Fortify Israel, we aim to change that.

​

By working from within—through local partnerships, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to building trust—we’re helping ensure that an entire generation can grow up with the tools to thrive, even in the shadow of war.