The “Dialog for Life” farm is being built in the heart of the Eshkol Regional Council in the Negev in Southern Israel (an area which wasdevastated in the OctAober 7th massacre). The farm aims to strengthen and improve the resilience of the community, and the surrounding communities of the region. The farm which will serve as a sanctuary, is being developed based on the dialogic concept, which believes that the meeting between man and animal has a beneficial healing potential for both.
A society in which all life coexists with mutual respect, compassion, and safety
Once established, the farm will serve as a rehabilitative and educational space, based on listening, compassion, and building trust between all living beings. The planned processing and healing activities at the farm will focus on restoring lost feelings of security and trust, building beneficial relationships, and creating a “safe space” to process trauma and injury. Through trauma-informed therapy, the farm will help people suffering from mental and physical challenges, while also serving as a sanctuary for abandoned and abused animals. The goal is for people and animals to help each other heal. The healing farm will provide opportunities for both to rebuild their lives and, in doing so, strengthen the community.
The farm will serve as a “home,” where entering the space and connecting with the land and nature will mark the beginning of healing and growth. In addition to a sanctuary for animals, the site will include a vegetable garden, fruit tree orchard, plant nursery, and carpentry facility. Beyond their therapeutic value, these activities will also support the maintenance of the farm.
The farm embodies the values we aspire to see in the world and will serve as a model for a better, more compassionate society.
The “Dialog for Life” farm is being built in the heart of the Eshkol Regional Council in the Negev in Southern Israel (an area which was devastated in the October 7th massacre). The farm aims to strengthen and improve the resilience of the community, and the surrounding communities of the region. The farm which will serve as a sanctuary, is being developed based on the dialogic concept, which believes that the meeting between man and animal has a beneficial healing potential for both.
A society in which all life coexists with mutual respect, compassion, and safety
Once established, the farm will serve as a rehabilitative and educational space, based on listening, compassion, and building trust between all living beings. The planned processing and healing activities at the farm will focus on restoring lost feelings of security and trust, building beneficial relationships, and creating a “safe space” to process trauma and injury. Through trauma-informed therapy, the farm will help people suffering from mental and physical challenges, while also serving as a sanctuary for abandoned and abused animals. The goal is for people and animals to help each other heal. The healing farm will provide opportunities for both to rebuild their lives and, in doing so, strengthen the community.
The farm will serve as a “home,” where entering the space and connecting with the land and nature will mark the beginning of healing and growth. In addition to a sanctuary for animals, the site will include a vegetable garden, fruit tree orchard, plant nursery, and carpentry facility. Beyond their therapeutic value, these activities will also support the maintenance of the farm.
The farm embodies the values we aspire to see in the world and will serve as a model for a better, more compassionate society.
Target population
Our doors are open for everyone and anyone, and especially for the victims of the October 7 atrocities.
the Western Negev
communities who
experienced the
traumatic events
IDF soldiers,
police and
security forces.
Nova festival survivors,
bereaved families and
the families of those
kidnapped on
October 7th
Estimated cost:
3 Million USD.
Ecologically based and support the principles of sustainability.
Free range animal enclosures
gardening, vegetable and fruit growing areas,
service and maintenance areas.
A dedicated space for human healing, personal and group therapies as well as a center for professional development.
A dedicated space for human healing, personal and group therapies as well as a center for professional development.
Free range animal enclosures
gardening, vegetable and fruit growing areas,
service and maintenance areas.
Ecologically based and support the principles of sustainability.
Estimated cost:
3 Million USD.
Land donation
Architectural plans
Initial first stage establishment
Activity initiation
View our Cornerstone Ceremony
Activity initiation
Initial first stage establishment
Architectural plans
Land donation
Our Story
Renewing our dialogue in an ever changing world.
On October 7th our reality was shattered. The world as we knew it changed beyond recognition. The voice of the Dialogue based values of connection and caring for one another was silenced along with each of our own voices. The sense of loss and sorrow halted all notions of life. It took time and space to regain our true selves. As time passed we realized that the path leading to reacquiring what was taken from us, such as our strength, security and trust were and are of a slow and complex nature. This journey requires inner and outer listening compiled with sensitivity, as in the Dialog for life based approach.
Along with our shattered reality and loss of direction, we reached the understanding that the Dialogue based way of life is what is needed. That our approach holds an important role in the rebuilding of the basic trust in humans and humanity as a whole. With this understanding we regained our strength, understanding and passion for actualizing our mission. We realized that we want to work towards rebuilding trust and hope in this world. We understood that the Dialog for life farm must become a reality in the heart the Eshkol Regional Council. A farm within which the surrounding communities participate in its establishment, while being established for the benefit of the surrounding communities.
The Farm
The farm, which is being built in Moshav Ein Habsor will treat abused and injured animals in need of a safe and a caring home. This therapeutic environment will also provide an array of treatments for people in need.
Our farm is at the forefront of healing individual and collective trauma with the use of the Human Animal Dialogue method.
Healing individual and collective trauma through Human-Animal dialogue
(Anat Ben-Yonatan PhD, one of our leading staff members at Dialog for Life)
The farm is being built on 5 acres (20 dunam) donated by the Shefer family from Moshav Ein Habsor.
Donations are tax deductible according to income tax provision clause 46A Israel, 501c3 USA
This farm is in the loving and heartfelt memory of Dudi Turgeman, who was murdered in the horrific attacks of October 7th.
Dudi was an angel on earth, with a special charm and a warm spirit. He was a great lover of animals and nature, and was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.
Dudi lived by the motto:
“Live life to the fullest, because you won’t get out of life alive.”
Through this farm, his spirit lives on, guiding and inspiring us and our vision.
This farm is in the loving and heartfelt memory of Dudi Turgeman, who was murdered in the horrific attacks of October 7th.
Dudi was an angel on earth, with a special charm and a warm spirit. He was a great lover of animals and nature, and was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.
Dudi lived by the motto:
“Live life to the fullest, because you won’t get out of life alive.”
Through this farm, his spirit lives on, guiding and inspiring us and our vision.
1997-2023
The Founder and Entrepreneur
Sivan Shefer, 50 years old, has lived in the Eshkol Region all her life. Sivan is a veteran therapeutic instructor with extensive practical experience of over 25 years in dialogic work with animals, for a wide variety of populations. Sivan has trained hundreds of professionals and students in the framework of courses and workshops presented both in person and online, courses that she created and developed. Sivan lectures in academic and educational institutions.
Co-Founder
Shully, a clinical psychologist in training. Co-developer of the dialogic approach and manager of the emotional therapy field at "Dialog for Life". Shully provides therapy with the help of horses and other animals And parenting coaching in the attachment-based approach.
Director of Partnerships and Resource Development
Kay Levin, Director of Partnerships and Resource Development.
Kay is an integral part of the vision and work of Dialog for Life. She leads our partnerships and fundraising efforts with professionalism, creativity, and a big heart.
A resident of Ein HaBesor, originally from Ireland, Kay has lived in the Gaza Envelope for nearly 30 years. She chose to build her home and raise her family here – bringing with her a deep connection to the land, its people, and the healing of the entire community.
The Founder and Entrepreneur
Sivan Shefer, 50 years old, has lived in the Eshkol Region all her life. Sivan is a veteran therapeutic instructor with extensive practical experience of over 25 years in dialogic work with animals, for a wide variety of populations. Sivan has trained hundreds of professionals and students in the framework of courses and workshops presented both in person and online, courses that she created and developed. Sivan lectures in academic and educational institutions.
Co-Founder
Shully, a clinical psychologist in training. Co-developer of the dialogic approach and manager of the emotional therapy field at "Dialog for Life". Shully provides therapy with the help of horses and other animals And parenting coaching in the
.attachment-based approach
Director of Partnerships and Resource Development
Kay Levin – Director of Partnerships and Resource Development.
Kay is an integral part of the vision and work of Dialog for Life. She leads our partnerships and fundraising efforts with professionalism, creativity, and a big heart.
A resident of Ein HaBesor, originally from Ireland, Kay has lived in the Gaza Envelope for nearly 30 years. She chose to build her home and raise her family here – bringing with her a deep connection to the land, its people, and the healing of the entire community.
Our Team of Special Consultants and Advisors
Donations are tax deductible according to income tax provision clause 46A Israel, 501c3 USA
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