It has been 11 months since Lilian Ben Harush, 76, from the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, was evacuated to a hotel in Netanya with her husband, Jacob. “We never imagined a situation like this,” says Lilian, one of the 60,000 evacuees from northern Israel. “There was a lot of uncertainty. I only took a small bag because I thought we would be back in a week. We arrived at the hotel, where the staff warmly received us, just like Israelis do.”
But staying in a hotel for 11 months is not easy. Days can be long and difficult for people who are displaced, especially for the elderly, who are grappling with the loss of their homes, social circles, and care networks. They are at increased risk of mobility and cognitive decline, isolation, depression, and illness related to stress.
That’s when JDC stepped in to help Lilian and Jacob. Through the Pop-up Day Center that JDC established in the hotel and which operated daily, Lilian and Jacob and the other evacuated seniors were offered a daily schedule of rehabilitative and recreational activities. These activities helped create routine for Lillian and Jacob, and gave them a reason to leave their small hotel room. The activities gave them social support, provided them with physical activity to keep them moving, and kept them cognitively engaged.
“We connected with everyone here, and the activities give us air and an opportunity to smile and laugh, even for a short time,” says Lilian. “There are many different classes that change according to our needs and requests. I can’t imagine my life here without this.”
Sadly, Jacob passed away during their stay at the hotel. During the shiva and the days that followed, Lilian’s newfound community and activities provided comfort and support, giving her the resilience she needed to be engaged in life and society.
Lillian and Jacob are just 2 of 23,600 evacuated older adults who benefitted from these tailored programs for seniors in 61 evacuee hotels across Israel.