Bereaved Youth Complete Surfing Course in Ashkelon with One Family
Sixteen bereaved siblings and orphans in southern Israel completed a four-month surfing course organized by the One Family association, building resilience and community.
Sixteen bereaved siblings and orphans have successfully completed a four-month surfing course in Ashkelon, organized by the One Family association. This marked the second time the program was held for bereaved families in southern Israel, combining water and nature experiences with personal challenges, skill-building, and peer support.
Over the course of 12 sessions, participants learned to navigate the waves while forging deep personal connections. The ocean and the shared group dynamics provided a safe environment where participants could strengthen their self-efficacy, discover inner strength, and experience moments of joy alongside their ongoing grief.
Moran Magen, whose brother Roi Magen served as a deputy team commander at the Beersheba fire station and fell in battle on October 7, shared her experience: "We came to the sea, each with our own personal story, longing, and pain in our hearts, and we left with much more than surfing memories. During the 12 sessions, we found a safe space of acceptance, belonging, and connection. We learned to get back up after falling, to trust ourselves, and to understand that even when a large wave arrives, we have the inner strength to deal with it."
Naama Afik, southern region alumni coordinator for the One Family association, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: "Beyond surfing, there is partnership, belonging, connection, laughter, and moments of joy. Watching them together, encouraging one another, facing the waves, daring, succeeding, and above all enjoying themselves, is a reminder of the power of being together. It is a space where one can momentarily put the pain aside, breathe deeply, and feel life."
Moshe Swissa, CEO of the One Family association, added: "Coping with the waves at sea largely mirrors the waves we encounter in life, including the loss of a loved one. Precisely in the face of strong currents and large waves, we discover the strength within us to rise, cope, and move forward. At One Family, we see great importance in providing support through extreme sports, allowing participants to process their loss, tackle challenges, and rediscover their personal resilience."
