Family members of the hostages from the October 7 massacre arrived in Eilat to participate in a young adult's retreat as part of their recovery and healing process. Organization 255's Young Adults Program was established to provide a supportive community and a comprehensive support network for former hostages and the families of hostages, ages 18–34.
They took part in a three-day retreat in Eilat in partnership with Element5, a body-mind healing center operating in Eilat in collaboration with Sheba Medical Center. The retreat included workshops, body-mind treatments, activities at sea and in nature, and a safe space for participants to connect with one another.
Yanai Lotem, 30, originally from Kibbutz Gvulot and now living in Ramat Gan, learned during the Black Sabbath that his sister, Hagar Brodutch, and his three nephews had been taken hostage to Gaza, along with many of his childhood friends.
"A year ago, I participated in a surfing retreat in Netanya and realized that I wasn't alone," Lotem said. "The purpose of participating in a retreat is to give you the sense that you are not alone, because people go through their daily lives by themselves, they don't meet many others like them."
"In a place like this, you share experiences with one another. You don't feel like you're going through it on your own because there are other people experiencing it too. In the workshops, you gain tools. I came here because I love the desert, I love quiet, and I wanted to meet people who also went through the same things I did. Personally, I believe that's a major part of rehabilitation. I also went through a similar retreat with my sister Hagar who returned from captivity. The treatments are important, especially water therapy."
Sagi Mansour, 22, lost his grandfather, the late Shlomo Mansour, who was abducted and murdered while in Hamas captivity. He also chose to participate in the retreat in Eilat. "Being part of the community and helping as a member of the team gives me a sense of purpose. It makes me feel part of something. Releasing the rage that's inside you, that really helps me focus. The treatments we go through mean the world to us; they calm us down. You realize that you're not alone, and that's incredibly important."
Rehabilitation process
Organization '255 – Support for the Hostages and their Families', provides guidance and assistance throughout the rehabilitation and return-to-life process. It addresses the unique needs of families while recognizing the wide impact that the trauma of abduction has on family members and on the broader community.
As part of its efforts to strengthen and support families as a community, the organization holds retreats for family members. Current programs include retreats for women, men, young adults, and a dedicated retreat for the grandparents of returned hostages.
The partnership between 255 and Element5, a body-mind healing center in Eilat that works with populations affected by the war, was established from the understanding that the coping and rehabilitation processes faced by hostage families are ongoing. Alongside individual support, there is also great importance in strengthening community, fostering a sense of belonging, and building shared resilience.
The center in Eilat runs retreats, resilience days, and long-term programs that combine nature, community, and therapeutic tools, with the goal of strengthening both personal and communal resilience and supporting recovery and rehabilitation processes.
