About
Eden is a non-profit organization for girls and women, which believes that a healthy and thriving society is one that treats each and every individual as equal, regardless of their gender, culture and social status.
Women have always been affected by social constructs, and to this day they pay a personal, professional, and in extreme cases even a physical price. We at Eden Association believe that in order to live full, satisfying lives that are not bound by these constructs, we must live mindfully and learn how to expand our choices. We have therefore developed the Eden model – a platform for personal and social change and growth. The model helps see the world through critical and questioning eyes, and to change it into the reality we choose.
Our history
The Eden Association was founded in 1997. It initially focused on various projects in the field of education.
In 2005, Eden Residential trauma care was established in Kibbutz Karmia, near Ashkelon, and in its early years experienced difficulties common during the initiation phase of a new project, and particularly with difficulties associated with the population of at-risk girls.
Since 2007, Eden Residential trauma care has gradually expanded, and it is presently treating approximately 60 girls that suffer complex trauma and had to be removed from their homes in order to provide them with the treatment they needed. The Residential trauma care is highly regarded in the field of out-of-home care in Israel, thanks to the Eden model for dialectic feminist therapy within a trauma-oriented framework.
In 2010, Eden school was established – a unique school that provides all girls at Eden Residential trauma care with an individualized learning process while building their sense of self-worth and self-efficacy. The school operates in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Education's HILA program for at-risk youth.
In 2021, the Eden for life program intended for young women requiring holistic support as they join the labor market, was launched in Kibbutz Dorot.
In 2022, the Eden 51 Center for the promotion of gender equality was established in Kibbutz Dorot. The center hosts organizations, companies, and therapists, as well as women in the community, and offers an infrastructure for private hosting or for hosting as part of Eden model professional seminars.
Eden strives to achieve gender equality by initiating, launching and delivering programs, and executing projects for women of all ages. The association specializes in complex post-trauma therapy, in creating trauma-oriented spaces and in providing support to individuals undergoing personal change.
Eden's goals
- To conduct activities focusing on education in the Negev – to initiate, develop and execute educational-therapeutic projects
- To initiate and develop educational projects promoting gender equality in Israel
- To conduct activities that are compatible with Eden's mission as a non-profit organization, in compliance with the laws of the State of Israel
Organizational values
Presence
being present. Inner strength that comes not from force, but rather develops through critical thinking and a connection to each individual's inner voice.
Growth
at Eden, we believe that the decision to make a change must derive from awareness to the 'possible', to 'me', and as part of the acceptance of the past and the present. Only thus can growth that leads to changing the reality on personal and social levels be achieved.
Acceptance
Dealing with a problem without judging or trying to prevent it. As part of the Eden model, our role is to provide tools for change from within – to be the container and at the same time the engine for change.
Safe place
a safe place is first and foremost an inner space that allows observing from a position free of background noise, fear and anxiety. A safe place is a physical and inner mental place for change and for achieving one's goals.
Feminism
feminism is a collection of ideologies, political movements, social movements and theories whose objective is to liberate women from oppression and to promote gender equality from legal, political, economic and personal perspectives.
Choice
choice is a fundamental right that we strive for. It will enable us to live with a sense of awareness.