YAHDAV - Multi-Service Center
FOR SHA’AR HANEGEV SENIORS

The meaning of the word “Yahdav” is being together - or in Spanish estar juntos – and in fact being together is the central issue here at Yahdav. As we grow old, we encounter many losses - losing work, losing our physical capacities, the loss of relationships and social skills, family losses and even losing the meaning of life.

Some losses are unique to the old population of Sha’ar Hanegev’s kibbutzim:
Loss of the kibbutz togetherness, loss of the dream and the path, lost values and social security – all of these losses stem from the privatization of the kibbutzim and the dismantling of their former support-systems.

Losing the sense of physical security due to the security situation - being exposed to constant threats to personal security due to the problematic border with Gaza.
It is important to understand that old people’s capacity to adapt to such dramatic changes in their surroundings and community is slower and requires far more support.

At Yahdav we help our members to find a way to cope - together- with all those losses. .
We see old age as the continuing of life, not its end. The services that the Yahdav center provides help to preserve and improve physical, mental, emotional and social skills, among others.
Receiving services at the center are around 250 seniors ranging in age from 60 to 91; of these, 70 have physical limitations while the rest are independent.

Working together with challenged and independent people stems from our strong belief in the reciprocal contribution between people.
The Yahdav center operates five days a week and offers extensive activities - studies, physical exercise, creative work, travel, voluntary work, vacations and social activities. Members arrive at the center by special transportation, and we serve breakfast and lunch. Cosmetic treatments, manicures and pedicures are provided in the nearby Hydrotherapy Center.

Physical exercise :
in the Third Age, physical exercise preserves and improves physical and cognitive abilities. Activities take place in the nearby hydrotherapy center by which offers a hydrotherapy pool, a heated regular pool, fitness room, Jacuzzi, sauna, Feldenkrais and gymnastics classes.

Creative activity:
Improving motor capacities and carrying out meaningful activity that generates self-fulfillment.
Various forms of handwork in the workshop, as well as art and pottery courses.

Social and cultural activity:
In old age, loneliness is one of the strongest risk factors for physical, cognitive and mental deterioration. When stress and anxieties are expressed in a supportive and accepting atmosphere, Yahdav members can continue coping with the difficult reality that Israel has suffered over the past few years. At Yahdav, afternoon social meetings are held around various topics, as well as parties celebrating Jewish holidays or marking special occasions. Most social and cultural activities take place with volunteers.

Learning activities:
Learning is vitally important, both in social terms and for maintaining cognitive abilities at an advanced age.
Lecturers from the academy give courses on a range of subjects: geography, Israeli politics, modern anti-Semitism, and Jewish history. And lectures on various subjects are given once a week.
Computer classes – run by a volunteer who has organized a team of other volunteers who give individual computer courses.
Bridge club – Run by a volunteer

Tours:
During the year, ten trips are held, aimed at broadening knowledge of Israel, its geography and history, visiting museums and so forth. Once a year, a vacation and longer tour are held – this year we visited Tiberias and the Dead Sea.
Apart from the tranquility that vacations offer, these events reinforce social ties between people.

Photos from our activities at our site
 http://iahdav.sapir.ac.il/album/album.htm

Claudia Bar - Manager
 mailto:claudiab@sapir.ac.il