In the wake of unprecedented challenges, Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Rodeph Sholom School have emerged as beacons of hope and support for Israeli families in New York City. The Israeli Hug Center, founded in the aftermath of October 7th and located at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, stands as a powerful testament to community resilience, compassion, and solidarity.
What is the Israeli Hug Center?
The Israeli Hug Center is a unique initiative designed to provide comprehensive support for Israelis living in New York City, both temporarily and permanently. Founded by Rodeph Sholom School parent Erela Nornberg P’16, ’18, ’27 and her dedicated team, the center offers:
- Community connections and resources
- Hebrew-language programs for Israeli families, parents, and individuals
- Psychological support services
Who Can Benefit?
The center’s doors are open to all Israelis in NYC, regardless of their affiliation with Rodeph Sholom. Whether you are a recent arrival, a long-term resident, or someone seeking support during challenging times, the Israeli Hug Center welcomes you.
“This program helped us to find new friends, we can’t wait for the next time.”
A mom who participated in family Shabbat with her family
Program Highlights
Our programs are designed to meet diverse needs:
- Supporting life cycle events: pregnancy, birth, young children, adolescents, adults, and elderly
- Free support services
- Affordable programs with minimal charges
- Culturally sensitive, Hebrew-language support
- Connection to community resources
- Connecting to the Jewish community
Meet Our Founders
Erela Nornberg, LMFT, MA, MSc, P’16, ’18, ’27
Founder and Manager
Email: enornberg@crsnyc.org
Erela brings an extraordinary depth of expertise to the Israeli Hug Center, including:
- Masters degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Educational Psychology
- Certificate in child and adolescent psychotherapy from IPTAR psychoanalytic institute
- Over 25 years of experience working with children and families
- Current role providing mental health support to child welfare services
- Licensed therapist in New York
Maya Lev Miller, LMSW
Hug Center Social Worker
Email: mlevmiller@crsnyc.org
Maya brings expertise in community building while addressing individual needs within the community:
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Tel Aviv University
- Specialization in social rights and policy change
- Extensive background in social action from Israel
- Experienced in working with individuals, families, and communities
Upcoming Events
We are excited to offer a variety of programs for our community. Some upcoming events include:
April 12
- Buddies program for Israelis to celebrate Passover together
April 24
- 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Support group for parents of Lone Soldiers in Israel
- 3:30 pm – 5:15 pm: Social Skills Group for Children
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Larger Than Life: Support group for families battling childhood cancer
- 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Hevruta weekly meeting for 60+
- 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering “Zikaron BaSalon” – Meeting with a Jewish American Holocaust survivor in English
April 25
- 9:00 am – 10:30 am: Women in Relocation
- 9:30 am – 11:30 am: Moms’ Morning – Special CPR Session
Our Commitment
At Rodeph Sholom, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting every Israeli in need. The Israeli Hug Center is more than a program—it’s a community, a support network, and a home away from home.
Want to Help or Learn More?
We continue to create a supportive, welcoming environment for our Israeli community in New York City. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, do not hesitate to reach out.
For the most current information about our programs, we encourage community members to:
- Visit: http://www.rodephsholom.org/israeli-hug
- Email: hug@crsnyc.org
You may also be interested in our previous news blog: Israeli Families – A Blessing to Our Community and the Jerusalem Post Article from 2023: Israeli families fleeing Hamas war find help at US Jewish day schools.
