One Journey, Multiple Voices: Louis Treiger’s Perspective

Israel is a country battling and persevering through trauma.

Seven Samis trustees, staff and several of our spouses recently spent a week traveling throughout Israel, meeting with potential new beneficiaries from Shaar HaNegev in the South to Kiryat Shmona in the North.  We also visited and bore witness at the Nova site and what remains of the massacre at Kfar Aza; both were horrifying and moving experiences. We saw first-hand the degree to which October 7th and the subsequent war with Israel’s enemies on multiple fronts has affected nearly every Israeli in some way.

Samis’ philanthropy in Israel is taking a holistic approach to addressing the impact of the war, trauma, and mental health on society. This includes not only supporting efforts to increase the availability of therapy, an expanded range of modalities to support different populations, and chronic pain management, but also efforts to increase employment and support employers with training on how to manage employees dealing with trauma and mental health issues.

In addition to the trauma, we saw the resilience of Israel firsthand. There are an untold number of incredible leaders and heroes who are determined to overcome the horrors of October 7th and the extreme difficulties of the war, to help others get back on their feet.  I think we all left inspired by the fortitude and tenacity of everyone we met over our seven days in the country.  Our presence on the ground in Israel was sincerely appreciated, especially in the North, which many visitors do not reach.

During the trip, we also had the opportunity to celebrate several signature Samis Israel grants awarded over the past few years.  First, we participated in the dedication of the therapeutic garden renovation at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center in Raanana, a project which the Foundation funded to aid soldiers and others in their rehabilitation from severe injury. In addition, we dedicated the auditorium at the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, which the Foundation supported in keeping with Sam Israel’s desire to preserve wildlife in Israel. The Center anticipates that nearly every school age child in Israel will visit to learn about Sea Turtles and respect for the environment. Finally, we visited the magnificent National Library of Israel in Jerusalem to learn about the success and impact of the Sephardic Archives, a project the Foundation undertook in honor of Sam Israel’s Sephardic heritage.

Sam Israel was a strong and proud Zionist, and I believe our efforts to support Israel through Samis are honoring and upholding his beliefs.

– Louis