ISRAEL ORPHANS OF 10/7 Expands Its Mission Of Healing With Second Play Therapy Center In Ashkelon

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Since the devastating events of October 7, Marlene Kolangi has remained relentlessly dedicated to one mission: ensuring that children orphaned or deeply impacted by the attacks receive the long-term care, stability, and emotional support they need to heal. Through tireless advocacy, hands-on involvement, and an unwavering commitment to every family the organization serves, she has helped build a growing support system focused not only on immediate relief, but on creating a lasting path toward recovery for these children.

What began as an urgent response to unimaginable tragedy has rapidly grown into ISRAEL ORPHANS OF 10/7, an organization providing specialized, long-term, and deeply personalized care for children affected by October 7. As Marlene worked closely with families across Israel, she recognized that many children were carrying profound emotional trauma — some having physically lost parents, while others had effectively lost them emotionally due to severe psychological trauma. Determined that no child facing this level of loss would be overlooked, the organization expanded its outreach to support both groups.

Today, the organization has developed a comprehensive healing model that combines emotional care, therapeutic programming, financial support, and genuine human connection. At the center of this mission is a long-term vision to expand specialized Play Therapy Centers across Israel — safe, nurturing spaces where children can heal through play in a natural and child-friendly environment. Unlike traditional clinical settings that may feel intimidating or emotionally overwhelming, these centers are intentionally designed to meet each child at their own pace, allowing healing to develop naturally through trust, creativity, movement, and connection.

That vision took another major step forward on April 29 with the opening of the organization’s second Play Therapy Center in the Agamim neighborhood of Ashkelon, Israel. The expansion follows the measurable success of the organization’s first center in Ofakim and reflects the growing need for structured therapeutic support among affected families.

The Ashkelon center was intentionally designed to feel warm and welcoming rather than clinical. Located near the water and beside one of the area’s largest eco parks, the center provides a calm environment where children can simply feel like children again while receiving meaningful therapeutic care through play-based programming. Marlene Kolangi played a central role in securing and developing the location, remaining deeply involved in every aspect of the organization’s growth and day-to-day support efforts.

At the heart of ISRAEL ORPHANS OF 10/7 are its Play Therapy Centers, a rare and specialized model in Israel dedicated specifically to children orphaned or deeply impacted by October 7. Rather than placing children into sterile therapeutic environments, the centers encourage healing through activities that feel engaging, natural, and safe. Through art, equine therapy, dog therapy, cooking, movement, martial arts, and creative play, children work with trained clinicians and licensed professionals who help them rebuild trust, regulate emotions, process trauma, and rediscover stability through healthy expression and human connection.

The Ashkelon center currently offers age-specific therapeutic programs every Wednesday:

• Ages 2–6: Dog therapy
• Ages 6–12: Ninja therapy focused on movement, confidence-building, and emotional regulation
• Ages 12–16: Thai boxing therapy that helps channel emotions through structure, discipline, and physical activity

The organization is also actively developing therapeutic programming for mothers and interviewing licensed clinicians to lead future sessions.

The impact of this work is already becoming visible. Children who once arrived withdrawn and emotionally shut down are beginning to reconnect with others, express themselves more openly, and experience moments of joy again. While their healing journey remains ongoing, they are no longer walking through it alone.

In addition to therapeutic care, ISRAEL ORPHANS OF 10/7 provides monthly financial stipends to families, helping create stability during continued uncertainty and allowing children to focus more fully on healing and growth. Marlene’s personal commitment also remains deeply hands-on, as she continues to call each family every Shabbat to check in and ensure their emotional and practical needs are being met.

The organization’s long-term expansion plans are already underway, with additional Play Therapy Centers planned across Israel in order to reach more children in urgent need of specialized trauma support. However, the continued growth of these programs depends directly on ongoing donor support and community generosity.

Through resilience, compassion, and consistent care, ISRAEL ORPHANS OF 10/7 is helping children rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss. Beyond providing immediate support, the organization is working to give these children something equally critical: the ability to rediscover security, hope, and a sense of childhood once again.

To support the expansion of these centers and help bring specialized care to more children, donations can be made through the Healing Our Heroes Campaign:

https://causematch.com/healingheroes