Retreat for Women Terror Victims

They come from all over Israel and from vastly different lifestyles. Yet, they all have one thing in common – all have had their lives devastated by acts of terror and violence – all share in a unique sisterhood of understanding and empathy.

Chabad Terror Victims Project in conjunction with the Chai Center of Los Angeles, has instituted a special retreat for women like them, to give them respite and restoration. To enable them to have a short time dedicated just to them and their welfare in the midst of lives filled with unimaginable loss and pain.

The retreat is held at Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea. The guest house the women stay in is in the midst of a stunningly beautiful botanical garden which has a 365-day-a-year growing season, in the middle of the desert. There are mineral baths, some of the very best in the world, with salts from the Dead Sea. There are speakers and therapy sessions led by professionals in their fields. There is wholesome food and pampering which these women surely deserve.

The three days each woman spends in this healing and nurturing place provides an emotional and physical and spiritual respite that affects their lives and their well being for months to come.

Many women have already attended this all-inclusive, fully paid-for retreat. Women like Chaya R. whose husband and son were both killed on the number 2 bus in Jerusalem in 2003. Or the mother of a daughter murdered in the same attack.

Each of them told us how much this time meant to them both physically and emotionally. Each told us how meaningful it is that they are still remembered and cared for after all this time and how much CTVP means to them.