For survivors of the Trance party attacked by Hamas, a new center helps with healing

The killing of hundreds of revelers at Tribe of Nova, a trance party in Re'im, Israel, during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7 caused a wave of grief for those killed or taken hostage. Yet while the more than 1,000 participants who survived feel lucky to be alive, many are still dealing with the aftermath of the horrific experience.
In the weeks that followed, mental health professionals scrambled to figure out how to help party survivors, some of whose trauma may have been compounded by the effect of psychedelic substances like LSD that are commonplace during trance events. and that some of the survivors admitted to having used. Those who took it were reportedly wide-eyed and unusually sensitive when Hamas rockets began appearing in the sky.
In an effort to help their recovery, Dr. Lia Naor, a counselor and therapist who practices nature-based mental health approaches, brought together a group of other caregivers. Within a week, they had moved into Ronit Farm, an upscale venue north of Tel Aviv, and transformed it into what they called Merhav Marpe, or Healing Space.
ImageA Thai boxing workshop in Merhav Marpe helps participants channel their outbursts of rage.Credit... Amit Elkayam for the New York Times
ImageThe tables in an entrance hall are dedicated to artistic creation. Credit...Amit Elkayam for The New York Times
As word of the site spread on survivors' WhatsApp groups and other networks social services, the number of daily visitors rose to 600 or 700, organizers said, before stabilizing at about 350. Hundreds of therapists, counselors and others volunteered to help, and those who used the service also included survivors of two small gatherings that took place nearby.
A few minutes' drive from a highway, the place seems quiet and isolated. It is far enough from Hamas' high-priority targets, such as major cities, that visitors rarely hear alarms warning of incoming rockets. The two main areas used by Merhav Marpe are a large indoor room normally used for receptions and a lawn bordering a pond.
During a recent visit, the space The interior had tables dedicated to artistic creation, a bar serving hot drinks and a designated space for tactile therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture.
A survivor, Li-tal Maya, 27, said that after her first massage session, her chest “just expanded” for the first time in weeks.
Image “Many of us returned almost physically unscathed, but with immense mental health problems,” said Bar Belfer, 34.Credit ...Amit Elkayam for the New York Times

World Nov 19, 2023 0 31 Add to Reading List

For survivors of the Trance party attacked by Hamas, a new center helps with healing

The killing of hundreds of revelers at Tribe of Nova, a trance party in Re'im, Israel, during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7 caused a wave of grief for those killed or taken hostage. Yet while the more than 1,000 participants who survived feel lucky to be alive, many are still dealing with the aftermath of the horrific experience.

In the weeks that followed, mental health professionals scrambled to figure out how to help party survivors, some of whose trauma may have been compounded by the effect of psychedelic substances like LSD that are commonplace during trance events. and that some of the survivors admitted to having used. Those who took it were reportedly wide-eyed and unusually sensitive when Hamas rockets began appearing in the sky.

In an effort to help their recovery, Dr. Lia Naor, a counselor and therapist who practices nature-based mental health approaches, brought together a group of other caregivers. Within a week, they had moved into Ronit Farm, an upscale venue north of Tel Aviv, and transformed it into what they called Merhav Marpe, or Healing Space.

ImageA Thai boxing workshop in Merhav Marpe helps participants channel their outbursts of rage.Credit... Amit Elkayam for the New York Times

ImageThe tables in an entrance hall are dedicated to artistic creation. Credit...Amit Elkayam for The New York Times

As word of the site spread on survivors' WhatsApp groups and other networks social services, the number of daily visitors rose to 600 or 700, organizers said, before stabilizing at about 350. Hundreds of therapists, counselors and others volunteered to help, and those who used the service also included survivors of two small gatherings that took place nearby.

A few minutes' drive from a highway, the place seems quiet and isolated. It is far enough from Hamas' high-priority targets, such as major cities, that visitors rarely hear alarms warning of incoming rockets. The two main areas used by Merhav Marpe are a large indoor room normally used for receptions and a lawn bordering a pond.

During a recent visit, the space The interior had tables dedicated to artistic creation, a bar serving hot drinks and a designated space for tactile therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture.

A survivor, Li-tal Maya, 27, said that after her first massage session, her chest “just expanded” for the first time in weeks.

Image “Many of us returned almost physically unscathed, but with immense mental health problems,” said Bar Belfer, 34.Credit ...Amit Elkayam for the New York Times