Chavie had everything. A beautiful home in the heart of Flatbush. She had a successful business launched a few years prior. A picture-perfect family, with each of her children dressed up to par with the latest fashion. To the onlooker, she seemed to always have it together.
Chavie and Dov were pillars of the Shul. Regularly hosting events and involved in impressive chesed projects, they were respected members of the community.
They seemed perfect. But Chavie had a secret that nobody knew.
You see, Chavie struggled with depression.
Chavie’s childhood was far from perfect, and she regularly suffered the repercussions of the trauma she endured. One small trigger from her past would have a tremendous effect on Chavie. For days on end, she would remain frozen in bed. And no matter what she did, she couldn’t overcome the deep pain that overtook her.
Dov was worried about their children. He struggled with issues of his own. He was a recovering addict, and although he had been sober for over 10 years, he couldn’t balance his own mental health with Chavie’s failing emotional state. As the months progressed, Dov and Chavie were growing further apart, and it was putting a strain on their entire family.
To the world, they were the image of a perfect couple. In their home, they were replaying the same dysfunction they grew up with.
I know what you would say… “They should be in therapy!” That’s what they thought too. In fact, Dov WAS a licensed therapist. Dov and Chavie both understood the importance of being properly guided by a professional. However, they struggled to find the right person. After trying various different types of therapy with little success, the search was getting tiring.
What they needed most was a fresh start. And that’s exactly what came their way. One day, Dov came across an advertisement that piqued his interest. A 7-day retreat for trauma survivors, with accommodations that aligned with their values, sounded exactly like the second chance they so desperately needed.
After one phone call with a retreat facilitator, Dov and Chavie breathed a sigh of relief. They were no longer alone in their secret. They were finally on the road to recovery.
Chavie’s story isn’t over yet. She still attends follow up webinars and speaks regularly with professionals. But Chavie is smiling more. And so are her husband and children.
Having each attended the retreat separately, Dov and Chavie learned many tools they needed to begin the healing process.
“Fresh Start gave me the strength I didn’t even know I had,” Chavie shared with the facilitator upon leaving the retreat. “Being together with people who understand your struggles was the most healing experience.”
Fresh Start isn’t just a retreat, it’s a family. The feeling of acceptance and collective growth gave Chavie and her husband a sense of belonging, and the care and assistance of the staff extended to more than just the 7 days of their flagship retreat program.
Dov and Chavie still host community events and prioritize chesed initiatives, just like they did before. But they are no longer living in the shadows of their past traumas. They’ve learned to communicate and understand each other, and they have hope for a brighter future for their family.
This week, give trauma survivors like Chavie a chance to heal. In a unifying fundraiser, we use the power of community to display our care for one another and promote our aspiration and hope for recovery.
Invest in Fresh Start. Invest in the healing of our community’s trauma. One retreat at a time.
Yasher Koach!!!!
So key in stopping the cycle of abuse/neglect/trauma!!