On October 7th, Israel experienced one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in its history, perhaps even in the history of the world. Horrendous terrorists invaded homes in Israel’s south, mercilessly slaughtering anyone in their path. Others reached a nature party in the same vicinity and committed the same atrocities. What was meant to be a celebration of love turned into a soul-crushing tragedy. Thousands of residents of the kibbutzim and survivors of the now tragic party were left shattered, lost, and struggling to breathe, and recover.
Like all of Israel, the members of the 'Secret Forest,' a space for renewal in the mountains of Cyprus, witnessed these horrors. Immediately, they knew they wanted to help in the best way they could. They dedicated the area of village villas, separate from the secret forest space, to the healing of these survivors.
Together with dozens of qualified Israeli therapists and counselors experienced in trauma and anxiety cases, they devised a unique plan in the forest—a five-day journey in nature, entirely focused on strengthening the wounded soul.
Within a week, the first 60 survivors arrived. "The moment I arrived, I felt like I was breathing for the first time in two weeks," said one of them. Each day was meticulously planned with a wellness program, including healing and touch therapies, guided breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, circle of listening, support groups, hydrotherapy, sound healing, meditative walks in nature, and more. Each survivor could choose when and where they wanted to participate, and therapists roamed the area, identifying who needed support, listening to their pain and needs, then directing them towards whatever and whoever could help.
At the end of the week, signs of healing were visible among many participants. A couple played music by the piano, people sat together, talked, shared, laughed, and embraced. When they parted from the team, many expressed gratitude through tears, while the team in front of them couldn't hold back their own tears. The following Sunday, another 60 survivors joined the five-day healing process.
In the Secret Forest's waiting list, there are 1,400 (!) survivors eager to undergo this process. For the first two weeks, the Secret Forest management covered all the costs with complete donations and volunteering. But to continue, they need your help.
The subsidized cost for each participant in the five-day healing program is 1,000 euros. If you want to embrace, strengthen, and help a survivor of the 'blood party' return to life, you are invited to be part of the beginning of their healing journey.
