ELEM AT THE KNESSET
This month, ELEM professionals took the stand at the Knesset.
Maya Magnat, Manager of Digital Spaces at ELEM in Israel, represented the organization at a meeting of the Knesset’s Science and Technology Committee, which addressed a pressing issue affecting Israel and the world: the emotional and personal use of AI by teenagers.
Maya, who recently led a presentation for us on digital youth culture (watch HERE), explained in detail how teens are using AI not only as a technological tool, but also as a space for emotional release, seeking advice, belonging, and personal support.
"When more than half of young people sometimes prefer turning to an AI-based chat instead of a real person, ” she said in an interview with Israel’s People & Computers media outlet, “it is a significant social signal that requires us to act.”
(Ynet)
Maya Magnat speaking at the Knesset (Instagram)
In a new study conducted by ELEM and the Israel Internet Association:
52% of teens prefer talking with AI about emotional issues instead of with people
55% of teens use AI as a friend
49% of teens use AI for emotional therapeutic advice
20% of teens use AI as a romantic partner
Alarmingly, about half of the participants in the study reported feelings of frustration after conversations with the chatbot, and one-third experienced loneliness and sadness.
At ELEM, our teams witness the digital reality of teenagers every day the places where they search for someone who will listen, for meaning, and for security That is why it is important for us to be part of this conversation, to bring voices from the field, and to make sure that even in a world of AI, no youth is left alone.
Video published by the Knesset featuring ELEM’s Maya Magnat (Instagram)
In addition to Maya, Yael Kahn, a graduate of ELEM’s Bayit Amiti (A Real Home) program, bravely shared her story of abuse abuse that continued when the offender was released from prison and returned to live near her.
Joining Yael was Renana Danon, ELEM's Assistant Clinical Director of Training, who spoke in-depth about the need to train teachers and school staff on sexual abuse and working with survivors.
“What happens is that all of our children are there [in school] every day... in educational frameworks,” she said. “And the people who are trusted to support them... they don’t have the tools.”
At ELEM, we support boys and girls who have experienced sexual abuse, as well as those who sexually harm others, and we work in prevention, education, identification, and treatment.
We are proud of Yael for her courage to share her story and give voice to so many others.
At the Knesset, Bayit Amiti graduate Yael Kahn shares her story of surviving abuse. (Instagram)
Renana was also our keynote speaker at our first Florida Luncheon in 2024 (Instagram)
PROGRAM UPDATES Hafuch (Nof HaGalil)
Sadly, after nearly 20 years, our Hafuch al Hafuch center in Nof HaGalil is closing its doors This was a mutual decision with the municipality. This Hafuch center was a home for teenagers from all parts of the city and from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds. It was an open, welcoming, and non-judgmental place where you could simply arrive as yourself.
Over the years, our staff met teens dealing with complex life challenges. Staff and volunteers were there for them as a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, a safe place to ask for help, and a place where they truly felt seen.
There were small moments there that became deeply meaningful conversations that slowly opened up, connections between cultures, teenagers asking for help for the first time, and simple moments of belonging.
When saying goodbye to the center, the teens repeated the same word again and again: home.
A place where they were accepted as they are.
Even from across the globe, it’s important for us to pause and appreciate the years, the work, the heart, and everyone who took part in creating this special place.
Migdalor (Akko)
Our Migdalor center in Akko recently partook in Good Deeds Day, a global day of volunteering and doing good, distributing gifts to school staff in the days ahead of Eid al-Adha.
SUMMER HAMPTONS EVENT
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On October 7, Daniel Sharabi and his brother, Neria, became heroes at the Nova Music Festival, fending off terrorists with firearms, treating the wounded, and saving hundreds of lives. Daniel's friend was killed at the festival, while another friend was kidnapped into Gaza and held captive for a little over two years. For Daniel, surviving that day was only the beginning In the wake of these horrors, Daniel has fought a grueling battle with PTSD and carried the immense weight of psychological trauma from that day. Two Stories, One Nation: Surviving & Serving
We are thrilled to host Daniel Sharabi and Shirelle Danon for a conversation on trauma and healing at the private home of Lenore Ruben in the Hamptons
Joining Daniel is Shirelle Danon, who served in the IDF in high-level intelligence roles. She specialized in Hamas infrastructure and supported sensitive hostage rescue and recovery missions, including interrogations of Hamas prisoners. Danon served as the Gaza intelligence officer in a special unit dedicated to the recovery of hostage bodies.
Join us in the Hamptons for a powerful evening as Daniel and Shirelle share their journeys through trauma, healing and resilience, and discuss their shared mission to help fellow survivors recover from the psychological scars of that day.
We are very grateful to Lenore for hosting this event at her Hamptons residence.
Daniel (far right) lighting the torch at Mount Herzl in May 2024 (Instagram)
2026 ISRAEL MISSION
EM MISSION TO ISRAEL
November8-15
Join us for an eye-opening mission to Israel, where you will experience ELEM’s work firsthand and see how we are helping ensure Israel’s future through its young people. Over the course of the trip, you will visit our shelters and community programs, meet the dedicated professionals on the ground, and spend time with the young people whose lives are being shaped and rebuilt through this work. Through these encounters, you will gain a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing Israel’s most vulnerable youth
This mission offers a rare and meaningful opportunity to connect directly to our work on the ground, witness impact up close, and become part of the story of resilience, healing, and long-term change in Israel.
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
We recently announced our new campaign, Don’t Make Them Do It Alone, which will run into next year. This campaign is a direct response to the unprecedented rise in emotional distress and risk behaviors among youth that ELEM is witnessing on the ground in Israel. These e bullying, self-harm,
rstand that this surge g on the margins of unfolding everywhere paces, parks, schools, etc The escalation of the worsening mental ptured national media
ELEM featured in Israel’s HaZinor network. (5/10/26)
What
ELEM is seeing on the ground:
One out of four boys and girls in Israel experiences bullying, including verbal and physical assault, humiliation, and extreme social exclusion.
Emergency room referrals related to suicidal thoughts and self-harm have skyrocketed.
Criminal files opened for youth have increased 26% from 2025-2026.
The recent murder of 21-year-old Yemanu Binyamin Zelka has further galvanized ELEM to act before another tragedy occurs During Yom HaAtzmaut in the city of Petah Tikva, Zelka was killed at the pizzeria where he worked after simply approaching a group of disruptive youth
There is always another report, another headline. Violence between youth is no longer an exception; it is a daily occurrence, right in front of our eyes.
This surge in at-risk behaviors is not solely the result of this year ’ s escalating war with Iran. The reality is that Israel’s youth have endured continuous instability for years now, spanning from the pandemic and the trauma of October 7th, to ongoing rocket strikes, regional warfare, and this current period of deep unpredictability.
Left with a sense of isolation and a feeling that no one is listening, more and more young people are falling into deep crisis before anyone notices they are struggling. Exacerbating this issue is a critical dearth of resources dedicated to educating parents and educators on how to identify and address these warning signs.
ELEM is stepping to the plate and working effortlessly to provide these youth with the help they deserve The scope of this campaign is certainly ambitious, but it is absolutely necessary in preventing another tragedy
ELEM TRIBUTE COLLECTION
Click HERE to view our certificate collection
We recently announced the launch of the ELEM Tribute Collection This is a new commemorative giving initiative for engaging donors celebrating holidays and life milestones, and directly supporting Israel’s youth.
This year-round campaign allows donors to honor a loved one (in memory or in honor of) during major lifecycle events (birthdays and graduation) or holidays (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Rosh Hashanah). There are two tiers for this campaign:
$54 tier (minimum): the honoree receives a personalized ELEM certificate and complimentary ELEM t-shirt the same shirts worn by our Anashim Tovim (Good People) team in Israel
$72 tier or higher: the honoree receives the certificate, the complimentary ELEM t-shirt, and an ELEM tote bag.
PARTNERSHIP WITH HONEYCOMB
American Friends of ELEM has partnered with Honeycomb to create an official At-Risk Enhancement Guide as part of its ChangeMakers curriculum.
This educational resource provides facilitators with meaningful tools to help young people explore philanthropy, understand the challenges facing at-risk youth, and learn how giving can create real impact through ELEM’s mission.
Honeycomb is a leading resource for educational content, experiences, and tools
that empower educators, professionals, parents, and organizations to engage youth in strategic grantmaking. Its vision is to inspire generations of engaged, empowered, and experienced Jewish changemakers and givers.
The guide is now officially live on Honeycomb’s website and has been shared with more than 7,000 subscribers across its network. Through this partnership, ELEM will also have the opportunity to introduce our work through upcoming Honeycomb webinars later this year, expanding awareness, fundraising, and inspiring the next generation of supporters.
Give Back Give Back
The er, led by our Florida Advisory Council, has started a monthly dining series at participating restaurants in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth.
Throughout this series, when guests dine at any of the participating restaurants and mention they are there for American Friends of ELEM, a portion of the proceeds will be generously donated to the organization.
This is an excellent way to raise awareness, build new connections, and expand the footprint of the Florida Chapter.
Our first Give Back Tuesday of the year recently took place at Sicilian Oven in Delray Beach.
Upcoming Give Back Tuesdays
Tuesday, June 16
Lucille's Bad to the Bone BBQ (Delray Beach)
Tuesday, July 14
Cucina Moderna (Boynton Beach)
Tuesday, August 18
Mamma Mia's Trattoria & Brick Oven Pizzeria (Lake Worth)
