Yedeedei Nefesh Abarbanel

“Yedeedei” means “Friends of”, but “Yedeedei Nefesh” means “Soulmates”

Our Vision

"Yedeedei Nefesh Abarbanel was founded in 2019 as a community of friends dedicated to supporting those receiving treatment at the Abarbanel Medical Center for Mental Health in Israel. Our goal is to 'tear down the walls' between the hospital and the community, challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness, and care for the well-being of patients and their families.

Integrating the family throughout the hospitalization process significantly promotes recovery. Therefore, we prioritize caring for the well-being of visitors and actively encourage their visits to the hospital."

Yedeedei Nefesh Abarbanel focuses on enhancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of the Abarbanel Mental Health Center community by maintaining a supportive environment, improving personal conditions, and expanding leisure activities.

Who We Are

Yedeedei Nefesh Abarbanel is dedicated to the welfare of the Abarbanel community, caring for those often hidden from view—the invisible people. We strive to provide them with a pleasant, well-maintained environment and the highest quality of life within the hospital.

Our efforts create meaningful and effective change in the daily lives of patients and their families. This includes establishing a beauty salon, a birthday room, a rehabilitation therapy garden, and incorporating innovative VR accessories to aid in rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. In the youth department, we have created a gallery to showcase patient artwork, and a unique Japanese garden designed as a ‘natural relaxation room’.

At Yedeedei Nefesh Abarbanel, we are committed to providing prompt, professional, and sensitive care while upholding the dignity and self-worth of every patient we serve.

We invite you to become part of our family and join us in our mission to bring light, hope, and love to the patients at Abarbanel Medical Center for Mental Health. Your support will help us continue improving the lives of these special individuals who need it most.

Our Team

*Both the members of the executive committee and other officials work on a voluntary basis

Dafna Nechushtan – Chairperson

Efrat Joffe

Yael Dolev Adv. – Legal Advisor

Liora Yehoshua

Liza Gershuni

Dr. Amira Zeevi

Revital Gal

Arik Zilberberg – Director of Finance

Hilla Wenkert – Audit Committee

Zvi Zoref - Audit Committee

The Abarbanel Medical Center for Mental Health, Israel

Abarbanel Medical Center for Mental Health is one of Israel's leading psychiatric hospitals, dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care and treatment. Located in Bat Yam, the center offers a wide range of services, including inpatient and outpatient care, crisis intervention, rehabilitation programs, and specialized therapies. With a strong emphasis on patient-centered care, Abarbanel Medical Center is committed to advancing mental health through research, education, and community outreach, while promoting the dignity and well-being of all those it serves.

Founded in 1944, the Abarbanel Medical Center has been operating under the Ministry of Health since its inception. The hospital is renowned for its extensive experience and serves a population of approximately 1,000,000 people, primarily from Bat Yam, Holon, Tel Aviv, and surrounding areas. At any given time, the center accommodates between 300 to 350 inpatients, with varying lengths of stay. It manages an annual turnover of around 2,000 patients, in addition to thousands of day patients and outpatients, covering a wide range of mental health conditions from adolescence to adulthood.

The center also features a day and hospitalization clinic that caters to approximately 3,000 patients annually and a special education school named "Shachaf." At Shachaf, hospitalized students are divided into two specialized departments: Youth Department A for mentally challenged youth and Youth Department B for autistic and mentally challenged youth — a unique offering in Israel. The school also welcomes non-hospitalized boys and girls who attend daily.

In addition to these services, the medical center operates community clinics for adults, children, and youth, and a psychogeriatrics department designed for elderly patients with mental health conditions, including Holocaust survivors. The Abarbanel Medical Center is supported by approximately 500 dedicated employees.

Activities

Explore Our Recent Activities

Opening of the Beauty Parlor A new facility to enhance the well-being and self-esteem of patients. Design and Renovation of a Second-Hand Store Creating a welcoming space for patients and visitors. "Seeing Well, Feeling Well" Eye examinations and provision of glasses to patients, provided by the Claude Samuel Institute on a voluntary basis. Establishment of Activity, Relaxation, and Regulation Rooms Creating spaces for patients to engage in therapeutic and relaxing activities. Festival Events for Patients Organizing festive events to uplift and entertain patients. Celebration of Birthdays in the Departments Monthly celebrations of patient birthdays within the departments. Regular Supply of Magazines Providing magazines to the women's department based on their requests. Donation of Photos from the Dubi Shiff Art Collection Enhancing the environment with donated art. Purchase of the "RehaCom" System Acquiring a system for cognitive rehabilitation to support patient recovery. Annual Event for Patients and Families Featuring a performance by Avi Toledano. "In My Eyes" Exhibition Displaying photographs by patients at the Bat Yam terminal. Establishment of a Therapeutic Garden Created in memory of Eran Amitai to provide a calming space. Establishment of Sports Areas Providing spaces for physical activity and wellness. Purchase of a VR System Preparing patients for community reintegration through virtual reality. Design of Leisure Clothing Custom-designed leisurewear for patients by renowned Israeli fashion designer Doron Ashkenazi. Establishment of a Japanese Garden Located in the Youth Department to serve as a natural relaxation room. "Island of Sanity" Gallery Showcasing photographs by teenagers in the youth department. Future Activities Establishing Additional Gardens in Public Areas Expanding green spaces throughout the hospital to enhance relaxation and well-being. Purchase of Sports Equipment for Each Department Equipping departments with sports gear to promote physical activity and wellness. Adding Seating Areas for Families in Each Department Creating comfortable spaces for families to visit and support their loved ones. Signage for the Entire Hospital Collaborating with students from the Holon Institute of Technology to design and install clear and informative signage. Additional Leisure Activities for Patients Introducing new activities such as yoga, sports, and art classes to enrich patient experiences. Redesigning the Entrance to the Abarbanel Mental Health Center Making the entrance more inviting and welcoming to patients and visitors.