Workshop Goals
Community belonging and social support are crucial for maintaining resilience, emotional well-being, physical and mental health in senior citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent regional conflicts have posed unprecedented challenges for the elderly, exacerbating the challenges faced by these communities.
"The Matzmichim Academy", which has specialized in creating a sense of belonging and fostering positive social environments in groups for over two decades, has dedicated itself to supporting senior citizens through these challenging times.
Building Resilience and Belonging in Senior Communities
Senior Citizen workshops
Research indicates that resilience in senior years consists of three factors: Identity, Community, Self-efficacy (Miriam Shapira, 2021)​​
Recent data from the Knesset's Special Committee for the Treatment of Holocaust Survivors reveals that 21% of senior citizens in Israel have experienced increased loneliness since the the war began, along with a significant decline in their sense of community belonging. These feelings substantially impact their quality of life and ability to recover from crisis situations.
"Matzmichim", drawing on 20 years of experience in enhancing group cohesion, belonging, and confidence in various frameworks, is expanding its initiatives to promote senior resilience by strengthening these three core factors. Our "Building Resilience and Belonging" workshops combine recreational activities with targeted dialogues to achieve these objectives.
These workshops can accommodate groups of up to 24 participants and are offered in various formats:
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1. A single intensive 3-hour session
2. Two 1.5-hour sessions
3. An ongoing program of 1.5-hour sessions
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Given the uncertainty regarding the duration of the war in Israel, establishing strong group dynamics becomes essential as an additional support system and source of strength. Enhanced group resilience alleviates loneliness, empowers participants, and strengthens community bonds, supporting each individual's recovery and gradual return to normalcy.
"Despite being together for a long time, I suddenly realized they don't really know their fellow group members. The workshop enabled dialogue and mutual acquaintance that hadn't occurred before"
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Head Social Worker at an elderly home in Tiberias
Workshops for Therapeutic Staff Members
Matzmichim offers senior care teams an evidence-based methodology for strengthening group belonging and social connections, backed by over two decades of experience.
Our program provides staff with practical tools for:
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Identifying and reinforcing positive group dynamics and behavioral norms
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Deepening personal connections, even among well-established resident groups
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Fostering an atmosphere of empathy, active listening, and mutual support
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Reducing feelings of loneliness while strengthening a sense of belonging
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Maintaining and enhancing residents' cognitive and social skills
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The program is designed for various types of professionals working with senior groups: social workers, group facilitators, emotional-social therapists, cultural and leisure activity coordinators, and management teams in relevant facilities.
The program includes a comprehensive 5-hour training session, which teaches practical tools for facilitating group discussions using the Matzmichim method. It also provides a professional guidebook containing structured activity plans and facilitation strategies, as well as professional support in implementing these tools in daily work.