Friday morning.
Herzliya beach.
8 soldiers and reservists, who have been released but recently show up at the beach of the stars in Herzliya, wearing surf clothes, and excitedly preparing for the start of a unique surfing course opened by the municipality of Kfar Saba especially for those who have recently been released from combat.
"There is a huge investment here by the municipality of Kfar Saba and we are all grateful to be a part of it" - Yikki Ganot, a resident of the city of Kfar Saba who was recently released from a long reserve service in the heart of the fighting, joined a unique surfing course opened by the municipality for women and men who have been released from reserve service, which also includes dialogue sessions with a psychotherapist.
This is as part of the extensive torture envelope that the municipality gives to soldiers
who live in the city. "We are a lovely group of male and female reservists, who all took part in the war and now we can unload everything at sea, as part of this course that they opened especially for us.
"The instructors teach us the ropes of surfing from the beginning, with a lot of patience.
There is a huge investment here by the municipality of Kfar Saba and we are all grateful to the municipality and for the privilege of being a part of it."
The surfing group of reservists and discharged reservists/official website, photo: Kfar Saba Municipality
The course for those who have recently been released from reserve service is only part of an extensive envelope of support provided by the municipality of Kfar Saba to regular and reserve soldiers, among other things, accompaniment and counseling for returning to work and for students who have returned to school, counseling and financial accompaniment, support for the families of the conscripts, support and mental counseling for those who need it, a support group, concerts and cultural, leisure and sports activities free of charge and more.
The surfing course in collaboration with the SURFWAY surfing club in Herzliya, includes 8 surfing sessions for 8 weeks, every Friday, after which there is an emotional conversation with a lawyer named Shem Tsuriya - a psychotherapist and a reserve military officer, in order to help them process the experiences and everything they have experienced and gone through.
"The work with Itay Kravchak from the surfing club and the conversation with Os Shem Tsuriya are very meaningful and helpful," says Yaki Ganut.
"Michal Mordo, the director of the Community Security Authority in the municipality takes care of all our needs and we feel surrounded by support."
"I finally felt like I was fulfilling myself," adds Vaomer N., another participant in the group who was released from the reserves after fighting for about two months as a fighter in the MGB.
Now I got an opportunity for me in a surfing course and a joint and empowering conversation, as part of the Kfar Saba Municipality project.
Now I can make time for myself both physically and mentally, and return to a sane and stable lifestyle and I want to thank the municipality for initiating such a blessed and important project for us."
According to the mayor, Rafi Sa'ar, "The entire city of Kfar Saba mobilized for our soldiers and security forces from day one of the war, and we strengthen them while they are sacrificing their lives for our sake and for the security of the country's residents.
We created an extensive envelope of support for soldiers and soldiers, regular and reserve, including support and assistance to their families.
We will continue to stand and strengthen their hands in whatever is required and I invite the soldiers of Kfar Saba to contact us - we are here for you."
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