American Friends of ELEM

Directions Website Contact the organization

American Friends of ELEM ELEM is a 501(c)(3) volunteer based organization that supports youth in distress from all sectors of Israeli society.

With 250 professional staff and over 1,500 dedicated volunteers, ELEM is able to reach thousands of at-risk youth annually. Recognized as a leader in the field of youth-oriented social services, ELEM has served as a powerful lever for the reduction of poverty and effective participation in society since the organization’s inception in 1981. Utilizing a holistic approach, professional staff and dedicated volunteers offer youth- from normative to fatal risk- a spectrum of services from preventative measures and vocational training, to humanitarian aid and individual counseling. These services provide youth the tools they need to stay on the road to recovery, discover their potential, and lead a dynamic life.

10/23/2026

Last month, ELEM hosted its Arab Society Forum at Western Galilee Academic College. This event brought together colleagues for a day of thoughtful discussion and meaningful exchange.

The day began with remarks from ELEM’s leadership team, followed by a presentation from Dr. Jinan F***j Falah on the realities facing Arab society in Israel. A panel discussion explored how to navigate complex circumstances and conflict. Participants then broke into working groups to discuss staff safety and well-being, tailoring services to meet community needs, and social activism.

At ELEM, we recognize that every community has its own experiences, challenges, and needs. Gatherings like this help our teams strengthen their work in the communities ELEM serves and remind us that listening, cultural understanding, and genuine partnership are essential to providing meaningful support for youth and young people.

10/22/2026

We call that moment when our ELEM teams reach out to a young person — a moment when, even for a second, they no longer feel alone — a "sliding door," because one encounter can be enough to change a life.

For the past few years, ELEM has increased the number of youth served across Israel from 13,000 to 15,000, operating dozens of programs across 35 municipalities; street mobile units, 24/7 shelters, youth centers, online chat support, educational and emloyment integration, and treatment for victims of sexual assault.

Our over 1,300 staff and volunteers are there every day for any youth in distress who needs someone by their side. Learn more and make a contribution to ELEM's outstanding programs at https://elem.org/.

10/21/2026

ELEM's Bayit Amiti (A Real Home) program offers a safe, supportive space for girls and young women who have experienced sexual abuse — a place where they can connect with others, share experiences and feelings they may have kept to themselves for years, find a supportive community, and begin to heal.

Bayit Amiti reaches young women from all walks of life — Jewish and Arab, secular and religious, immigrant and native-born — who share a common need for safety and understanding after trauma.

Learn more about Bayit Amiti and support this program at https://elem.org/bayit-amiti/.

10/21/2026

We talk a lot about supporting Israel’s young people because they are Israel’s future, but they’re not just Israel’s future — they’re Israel’s PRESENT.

Join us next week at our much anticipated RAY OF HOPE BENEFIT in New York City!

🇮🇱 RAY OF HOPE BENEFIT
🗓️ Thursday, October 29
📍 New York, NY (Address provided upon registration)
🎟️ elem.org/ray-of-hope (Link in bio.)

10/20/2026

In the past, the term “youth at risk” was associated with young people facing severe, prolonged challenges from a young age. But since COVID-19 — and even more so since the outbreak of the war — ELEM has witnessed those traditional boundaries shift in Israel.

Risk is no longer defined solely by family background or socioeconomic circumstances. Young people across all of Israeli society are experiencing increased vulnerability. A series of national crises — from social isolation to exposure to online harms and the trauma of war — has broadened the population facing significant emotional, social, and behavioral challenges.

At ELEM, our mission is clear: no young person is beyond reach.

Every donation you make powers another hour of outreach, another conversation at 3 AM, and another door opening to a brighter future.

https://elem.org/donate/

Last month, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that a high proportion of...
10/19/2026

Last month, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that a high proportion of young people ages 18–24 in Israel are not in school, working, or participating in job training.

The data also highlight the challenges facing Israel’s education system, where class sizes are among the largest in OECD countries.

The 21-year-old who is no longer in school or working didn’t simply become disconnected yesterday. Their story may have begun years earlier, at age 15 or 16, when they were still enrolled in school but were already struggling to get up in the morning, attend consistently, stay engaged, and feel a sense of belonging. They were sitting in the classroom, yet gradually becoming invisible.

In an overburdened education system, with large classes and years of repeated conflict, identifying young people who are beginning to disengage becomes even more difficult.

At ELEM, our teams encounter these early warning signs long before a young person officially drops out of school.

ELEM’s data show that signs of disengagement from school were approximately 10 times more common among the young people we serve who struggled to maintain a daily routine. This finding reflects the population of young people ELEM serves and is not representative of all young people in Israel. Still, it points to something important that we cannot afford to overlook.

**Dropping out is a process. And there are warning signs long before it happens.**

Difficulty staying engaged. Frequent absences. Loneliness. Emotional distress. Daily routines falling apart. Growing distance from trusted adults and a sense of belonging.

If we want to change the statistics for tomorrow’s young people, it isn’t enough to create support services for 21-year-olds who have already become disconnected from school, work, and other structured settings.

Our staff realizes the importance of recognizing these young people while they are still in the system. They don't wait until a young person drops out to ask where they are. They don't wait until they're 21 to offer support.

By supporting ELEM, you help young people get the support they need before they fall through the cracks. https://elem.org/donate

10/18/2026

Summer nights in Jerusalem, where young people in crisis are reaching their breaking point — and ELEM volunteers are there to meet them with support, care, and a safe place to turn. Watch the full segment from Israel’s i24NEWS report.

10/16/2026

A Friday flashback to our UNDERSTANDING YOUTH ANXIETY TODAY conversation with Brooklyn's Dr. Rachel Abel and Gaya Adi, ELEM's Southern District Manager in Israel. The two discussed the growing challenges facing youth and young adults in both Israel and the United States.

In this short segment, Gaya talks about ELEM's Anashim Tovim program, also known as the "Good People" program, featuring a dedicated team working all night to ensure the safety of youth at trance parties and large gatherings throughout Israel.

Watch the full discussion on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugtCCT3vM2E&t=2920s.

10/15/2026

With an amazing team of dedicated staff and volunteers, ELEM’s Anashim Tovim (Good People) program provides emergency response, harm reduction, and support for young people at nightlife venues, outdoor parties, and music festivals.

Our teams create safe spaces where young people can access professional, nonjudgmental support. They also provide practical information and tools to reduce harm, along with immediate assistance during emergencies and crises related to psychedelic experiences.

Since October 7, the program has adapted to changes in Israel’s nightlife and party scene, with an increased emphasis on trauma-informed care.

Learn more: https://elem.org/anashim-tovim/

10/14/2026

In Israel, ELEM Digital provides a safe, completely anonymous space to talk for youth. Since its launch in 2004, this program has been recognized as a global leader in virtual therapeutic interventions, providing nightly chat support, online outreach, and a virtual clinic for short- and medium-term treatment.

Learn more about ELEM Digital at https://elem.org/digital-interventions/.

Address

35 Journal Square, Suite 531
Jersey City, NJ
07306

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when American Friends of ELEM posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to American Friends of ELEM:

Shortcuts

Share

Category