Meet the Team

Nadav Fridman

Nadav is married and a father of four. As a drama therapist, he works using psychodrama and is a group facilitator. Nadav has provided group and individual therapy for many years for mental health at therapy centers for sexual trauma, and in programs and organizations for injured solders and victims of military trauma. Nadav has completed a range of diverse training courses for the treatment of trauma. He is a group and workshop facilitator for coping with loss and grief, and works with the reserve forces and their spouses. 

“I don’t have the words to explain how much power this journey holds. By leaving the daily routine and the intense reality for a moment to experience something different together, for the experience of connecting to nature, for powerful and meaningful group time. There is so much power in processing together; in sharing, honesty, and the courage to connect and feel. There is so much healing power in opening the heart and making room to receive strength, connecting to our resources and the tools within us to deal with everything we encounter on the way. There is so much power in meeting with teams of soldiers who fought together and in their ability to be there for each other.”

Dr Ilana Eliakim

Dr Ilana Eliakim is an expressive arts therapist, a psychotherapist, and a lecturer at the University of Haifa. She has experience in the treatment of trauma, disorders, and crisis in adults.

“I treat people who have endured life crises and traumas at the individual and group levels. As a mother of four combat solders, I join these journeys with the desire and intention to provide these solders with aid and support, reflection and understanding, through the belief that other therapists will provide the same for my sons. The energy of giving and receiving between people in a group is the foundation of healing and relief.”

Dotan Haim

Dotan holds an M.A. from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He is an adventure and nature therapist, and a certified facilitator from North Carolina Outward Bound School. Dotan also lectures in nature adventure therapy at the University of Haifa, NATAL (Israel Trauma & Resilience Center), and Tel-Hai Academic College. He is a founder and partner at the company, Flow.

“Being part of the Alot Hashachar staff and leading people on personal and group journeys is definitely a pinnacle of my professional career over the years!
The privilege of creating an impact on a group of people and being part of the healing process is rare and special.”

Nadav Kagan

Nadav is married and a father of three. He holds a master’s degree in social work and works in individual and group therapy at a private clinic with the help of his pack of dogs.

“Being on the processing journeys with young combat soldiers who went out to fight in a major war, is an opportunity for me to meet with the qualities, feelings, and emotions of special people with moral values. It is the chance to listen to their experiences, their inner story, and their needs for continuing their journey. Having the possibility of presenting them with different coping tools that may contribute to their happiness and resilience is gratifying and a great privilege.” 

Rom Harush

Rom is married and a father to three amazing girls. He lives on Kibbutz Sarid. Rom is a clinical social worker and CBT therapist, and has been treating trauma for the past five years.

“I chose to take part in these journeys because I feel they have a significant effect at an important time for combat solders, just after their discharge and at the start of reserve service, before they start building a life for themselves.

Traveling abroad offers them a place for teamwork away from their ordeal in Israel, with an affiliative group that is substantial and vital, allowing for deep discussion, learning coping tools, and as a place of inclusion and acceptance in order to let go of the combat experience and stress of military service, and to have a good, inclusive, and enjoyable experience throughout their lives.”

Roei Mualem

Roei is married to Ruti and is a father of five. Roei holds a bachelor's degree in social work and a master’s in group facilitation. He is also a certified shiatsu practitioner and is currently studying psychotherapy.

He deeply believes in the body-soul connection and in the power of the group to facilitate inner processes.

“When I go out to nature, I am reminded of what was here before me and what will remain after I’m gone. I can draw out every aspect of myself from inside, and nature will hold it all together with me. I get really emotional when other people experience it together with me, and even more so when they are young combat soldiers. The encounter with themselves and their souls and nature is powerful, and it is a privilege for me to take part in this encounter.”

Rotem Yanai

Rotem has an M.A. in arts-integrated group facilitation. He is a certified facilitator in nature adventure therapy, and represented Israel at the International Adventure Therapy Conference. Rotem is also a happiness coach, an LICBT therapist (low intensity cognitive behavioral therapy), an ACT therapist (acceptance and commitment therapy), and an expert in the development and facilitation of workshops and programs to develop resilience through the arts, play, challenge, adventure, and nature trips. Rotem is also the co-director of the company, Flow.

“I am happy and proud to be part of the experienced team of professionals that leads processing journeys for young combat soldiers who have had encounters in combat.

My contribution stems from a sense of mission and meaning, alongside a professional understanding of the importance of giving space to allow time for emotional processing, developing resilience, and physical and mental wellbeing in a supportive and professional environment.

After the experience of military service and combat, there is a substantial need to find a way to release and cope with experiences that can potentially be traumatic, as well as the emotional burdens they carry with them. These journeys are an opportunity to strengthen individual abilities and coping resources, to create a process of healing and growth to help restore a sense of inner wholeness, and to organize and build the personal and team story anew.”

Noam Yehuda

Noam is married to Eliana and father to Yiska, Achinoam, and Oriya. He lives in the Galilee community of Mitzpe Netofa.
“I took part in a journey like this with my team from Givati, and I feel it a privilege and an obligation to pass this good thing on. I love people and nature, I’m a nature therapist and psychologist, and I go on journeys like these on my own and also as a facilitator. I believe in the power of the group and of nature to facilitate the healing process.”