Art Therapy:
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words - Drawings and paintings are one of the best ways to gain direct access to a child's inner world, their feelings regarding past trauma, their impression of themselves, their family, and more.
There are currently about 20 children benefitting from our art therapy program. In many cases, it is through art therapy that a child opens up for the first time. Art enables them to make the first step towards healing their shuttered soul.
Sample of our work:
Daniel is a lovely, smiling 10 year old boy who arrived at Elazraki this year. He joined his two brothers who were already there and also has a sister who graduated from the home about two years ago. He is physically delayed in growth making him look like a 5 year old. This has had significant emotional repercussions which his single mother, who is hard working and rarely at home, has failed to address. As a consequence, Daniel has not developed a sense of responsibility and accountability that one would expect of a ten year old. He is very absent minded and often unable to control his emotions and actions. When he first came into the art therapy room he was fascinated by all the paints, brushes and equipment. Using paints with multiple colors and textures he is able to address internal chaos and express himself in a calmer way on paper. The paper is able to absorb the emotion that people around him cannot. Slowly he is experiencing more order and internal quiet. This is also reflected in his conversation. He still has a long way ahead of him, but art therapy seems to meet his needs.
About Julia Packer:
Julia Packer was born in Russia and placed with her brother in a children´s home (orphanage) when she was 3. When she was 6, she and her brother were adopted by the Packers, an American observant Jewish family who already had 4 children. From the outset, Julia was pleased to become an integral part of this new family, and determined to be a success in life. She attended an Orthodox Jewish day school from K-12th grade where she displayed talent in art. She continued to hone this ability at the Emunah vOmanut seminary in Jerusalem and then at Stern College in New York City. Tragically, Julia died in a train accident the end of January 2015, four months before she would have received her degree.
Julia´s family remembers her caring, intense connection to each member. Her friends recall her devotion, her fun-loving nature and her positive influence on each of them. Her teachers recall a hard working student and a talented artist. And we all have in our hearts and minds the image of a sweet, energetic, always-smiling beautiful young woman who had so much to contribute to the world.
Julia hoped to work in the fashion world and then possibly pursue a career in counselling. She would have been pleased to be helping the children at Bet Elazraki — especially through art which she so loved and at which she excelled. As of today, the fund has raised nearly $50,000.
The Julia Packer fund benefits the Art Therapy Program at Bet Elazraki Children’s Home.
TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT CLICK DONATE
If you wish to send a check, it should be made out to:
"Bet Elazraki” & designated for The Julia Packer Fund.
In the USA send it to:
Bet Elazraki c/o Sarah Struhl-Packer
1475 Palisade Ave. Apt 706 #1H
Teaneck, NJ 07666
In Israel, send it to:
7 Rabbi Tarfon St., Netanya 4244807
In 2016 the fund raised $18,815
In 2017 the fund raised $10,048
In 2018 the fund raised $12,156
In 2019 the fund raised $7,497
Updates