Love as a healing force in times of tragedy

At Talpiot Youth Village, one of the five youth villages we support in Israel, love is more than a feeling – it’s a lifeline.

For decades, I have witnessed how this extraordinary community provides a safe haven for some of Israel’s most vulnerable children, starting as young as five years old. Removed from their families by the welfare authorities, the children of Talpiot come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect and trauma, often with little experience of what it is to feel safe, cared for or loved.
Through the incredible dedication of Talpiot’s staff, especially its house parents, these children find the warmth of a family for the first time in their lives. I’ve seen first-hand how this transformative environment helps them heal, grow and finally discover their potential.

A father to many
Among the remarkable individuals who shaped Talpiot was Eliav Avitbul z”l, a beloved house father who tragically lost his life defending Israel during Rosh Hashanah. Eliav has left behind his wife, three young children and the devastated Talpiot community to whom he and his wife dedicated their lives with unwavering care and love. For six years, Eliav was a mentor, guide and foster father to 12 young boys at Talpiot. His boundless kindness, wisdom and unwavering belief in their abilities gave these children a sense of hope and self-worth. One of his foster sons told me: “Eliav was more than a mentor. He was the first person who truly believed in me. He made me feel like my life mattered.”

Eliav with some of his foster sons.[Missing Credit]

Eliav’s compassion extended beyond his immediate family unit. He became a source of encouragement and strength for every child in Talpiot’s residential care units, showing them their futures could be bright and full of promise. Eliav’s loss is deeply felt, not only by those closest to him but by the entire Talpiot community and beyond. For me, he symbolised love in action, a reminder of how deeply one person’s care and dedication can transform countless lives.

Healing through connection
In the wake of this tragedy, we at Youth Aliyah Child Rescue have worked with Talpiot to honour Eliav’s legacy and help the children process their grief. Together, we have supported a meaningful healing journey: a trek along Shvil Yisrael (the Israel Trail).

This national hiking route holds a special place in Talpiot’s history. Four years ago, Eliav walked the trail with his foster sons, teaching them the value of perseverance, teamwork and finding joy in shared experiences. Now, each family unit at Talpiot is walking a segment of the trail, celebrating Eliav’s spirit and the lessons he imparted.

Love in action
This healing journey and the continued support for the children in all our youth villages has been possible only because of the generosity of our donors. In Israel, more than 400,000 children are considered “at risk” and lacking families who can properly care for them. With the ongoing war, this number is expected to grow. Together, we must step up for the children of Israel and ensure that they are able to heal from the traumas of this war. We are here to stand strong for the future of Israel, providing hope, stability and opportunity to those who need it most.

How you can help
This February, as we celebrate the transformative power of love, I invite you to join us in honouring Eliav’s memory, along with other graduates and staff members we have lost in the defence of Israel. By supporting our five youth villages, we can ensure every child in Israel has the chance to break from a cycle of extreme poverty, trauma and neglect, and finally experience love, stability and hope for a better tomorrow.

Unity is our strength.
Am Yisrael Chai.

info@youthaliyah.org.uk
020 8371 1580
youthaliyah.org.uk

Registered charity 3845916