Shomron families express their fears during a weekend rap session.

Shootings on the roads. Terrorists infiltrating communities. Death. Poverty. These are some of the day-to-day realities that have been faced by the families living in the 33 communities of the Shomron Regional Council since the start of the Palestinian intafada in October 2000.

No family can escape from this kind of terror unscathed. Stress, depression, anxiety and burn out are just some of the ways in which parents and children alike are suffering from the current matzav (situation). Parents are quicker to be angry with their children. They are under constant pressure. They have become more concerned with survival and less concerned with spending quality time together as a family.

We have begun to conduct a series of mini-seminars to help families and children to better cope with the current situation. We take families away from the stressful environment of their homes and communities and bring them to a hotel for an educational and relaxing weekend. Upon arrival, participants attend seminars – divided into groups by couples, elderly, teenagers, and school-aged children - built around stress management and dealing with depression. At sundown on Friday the families participate in a traditional Shabbat, during which time they have an opportunity to meet with each other and trained social workers for informal discussions of issues.

The program strengthens each individual and the family unit, and gives them the proper tools to deal with the terror they face, while allowing them time to discuss their stresses and concerns in a friendly, professional environment. The program has the added benefit of filling empty hotel rooms in this country, while tourists are scarce.

Social workers from the Shomron Regional Council's Department of Social Services will provide all of the seminars, ranging from rap sessions to art therapy.

At a recent session the Chief Rabbi of Safed, Ha Rav Shmuel Eliyahu and his family were guests of the seminar and provided enlightening discussions. This program is much sought-after by all of our communities. It is important to stress that this project has proven itself to be one of the most successful ways to assist families cope.

Here is how you can help…