Improving the mental health of the future

Our Mission

Our mission is to create an emotionally healthier society by ensuring quality mental healthcare is accessible to everyone. We are currently focused on providing mental health referrals and financial assistance for  gap-year students in Israel.

Our long term goal is to expand our target demographic, provide advanced training for clinicians and to educate parents, teachers and children regarding the topics that will improve the mental and emotional health of the entire family.

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Our vision

We envision a world where quality mental healthcare isn't a luxury, but a standard accessible to all.

Those that need mental healthcare should be able to get the help they need, without having to compromise on quality, no matter the cost.

Empowering Children from a young age.

We are working towards a future where children and adolescents are empowered from an early age with tools to manage their emotional health. They grow up with an understanding of the benefits of therapy for those that need it, promoting resilience, emotional understanding, and a proactive approach to mental health.

Educating Educators

We want parents and teachers to be well-informed about the crucial aspects of emotional health, fostering environments that nurture the mental well-being of children. They should be equipped with the understanding and resources required to support the emotional development of the young minds they guide. 

Advanced Training & Certification

We dream of creating a standardized course in which counseling, social work, and psychology graduates participate in an advanced and practical training program delivered by top psychologists, ensuring more clinicians are fully equipped to provide high quality mental healthcare. To receive a certification, each participant will be interviewed by one of our professors and only receive a stamp of approval if they fit the qualifying criteria.

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Our Values

Quality

Highly qualified therapist is vital to effective psychotherapy. We therefore have high standards for joining our referral network

Respect

We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity.

Equal access

We take privacy very seriously and make sure the information of those we serve is carefully protected.

Privacy

We take privacy very seriously and make sure the information of those we serve is carefully protected.

Dedication

We are unwavering in our commitment to our mission, always putting the mental health and well-being of clients first.

Meet Our Team
Yehoshua King
Co-Founder and Executive Director

Yehoshua King has close to a decade of experience building businesses and organizations. He's worked in many industries but nonprofits in the mental health space are his passion.

He spent 5 years learning and working at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem and was instilled the values of Rav Noach Weinberg and Rav Yitzchak Berkovitz of helping our fellow Jews in need.

From personal challenges as a teenager to dealing with students at Aish, Yehoshua has a strong understanding of the mental health challenges of our generation. He believes that everyone should be able to get the help they need without having to worry about the price.

Dassi King
Co-Founder and President

Dassi King has a background working with individuals with special needs and different mental health struggles. She is a certified Life Coach, Art Counselor and Registered Behavioral Technician for ABA therapy.

Besides for running Keren Ezra, she is currently a teacher at a seminary in Jerusalem and gives over the importance of self-love and self-worth to her students.

Dassi believes strongly that every person deserves to have access to quality psychotherapy. She has personally seen the impact of good therapy with herself and with her clients and students.

Eliav J. Friedman
Clinical Director

Eliav Friedman, MSW is an experienced social worker who specializes in working with teens and their parents, focusing on at-risk youth and adolescent offenders and victims of sexual abuse. He has multiple advanced trainings and certifications including treating adolescents with sexually abusive behaviors, substance abuse and addictions, and is a certified Hypnotherapist.

In addition to leading his private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem, Eliav has worked with various institutions including Yeshivat Lev Aharon and Hakshiva. These roles have enabled him to apply his skills across different platforms, from group therapy to one-on-one counseling. His unique ability to connect with and understand others has helped hundreds of adolescence become emotionally healthier individuals and gain the skills needed to succeed in life.

As Clinical Director, Eliav is committed to assuring high quality mental healthcare for Keren Ezra's clients. He is devoted to ensuring that the needs of the community are met, reflecting his lifelong dedication to understanding and aiding those he serves.

Shmuel Ben-Zvi
Director of Finances

Shmulie has over a decade of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Before moving to Israel, he worked as an analyst in the financial industry, gaining valuable analytical and strategic skills.

Currently, Shmulie is a student coordinator at Ohr Somayach, where he has cultivated a deep passion for mental health. Through his role, he has witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth and transformation of his students after arranging mental health therapy for them. His commitment to supporting mental health in the community is driven by the positive impact he has seen in those he helps.

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FAQ

What is Keren Ezra's primary mission?

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Our primary mission is to make quality mental healthcare accessible to everyone. We do this by providing mental health referrals and financial assistance, particularly focusing on Anglo, college-aged students in Israel.

How does Keren Ezra provide mental health referrals?

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We have a network of trusted clinicians, including psychotherapists and psychiatrists. We connect individuals seeking help with these professionals based on their unique needs and circumstances.

Can I choose my own therapist?

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We strongly recommend using our network as we carefully select clinicians based on their expertise and dedication to quality care. However, we understand the importance of comfort and compatibility in a therapeutic relationship. If you have a specific therapist in mind, let us know, and we'll do our best to work with your preferences.

How does Keren Ezra offer financial assistance?

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We understand that the cost of mental health services can be a barrier for many. That's why we provide financial aid to those who need it. We believe that therapy is more effective when there is a personal investment. That’s why we require each person to pay a small minimum fee towards their therapy sessions. If even a small fee is not possible, we have other opportunities for creating a personal investment. 

How does Keren Ezra decide who gets financial assistance for therapy?

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Our goal is to provide financial assistance to as many people as possible. However, due to limited resources, we've established a system to prioritize cases. We evaluate each situation based on the severity of the issue, the urgency of need, and the level of motivation of the client to engage in therapy. This approach ensures we can assist those who need our help most urgently and are highly committed to their therapeutic process.

What is the process after I apply for assistance?

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Once you submit your request for assistance, a member of our team will contact you for a preliminary discussion. Based on your unique needs, we will connect you with suitable clinicians within our network.

Does Keren Ezra advocate for mental health awareness?

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Yes, part of our mission involves advocating for mental health awareness and promoting understanding about the benefits of therapy.

I'm a clinician. How can I join Keren Ezra's network?

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We are always looking to expand our network of trusted clinicians. If you're interested, please visit the Join Our Network page for more information on the application process.

How does Keren Ezra choose clinicians for referrals?

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Our clinicians are carefully selected based on a combination of many qualifications including their license, degree, certifications, experience, personality and commitment to providing high-quality care. We ensure that they align with our values and can provide the best possible support to those seeking help.

How does Keren Ezra protect my personal information?

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At Keren Ezra, we take privacy very seriously. We have strict protocols in place to protect the personal information of those who reach out to us. Your details will only be used to help provide the assistance you need and will not be shared without your explicit permission.

How can I become a corporate sponsor?

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We welcome corporate sponsorships! If your organization would like to contribute, please send an email to info@kerenezra.com.

I need assistance. How can I reach out?

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 If you or someone you know needs help, please don't hesitate to reach out. Visit our Get Assistance page to get started.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

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 Yes, Keren Ezra is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible. You will receive a donation receipt for your records. Click here to donate.

How can I ensure my donation is being used effectively?

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At Keren Ezra, we hold transparency and fiscal responsibility at the heart of our mission. Every single contribution made is carefully allocated to bring us closer to our goal of accessible mental healthcare. We are dedicated to maximizing the impact of each donation by directly investing in mental health referrals and financial assistance programs. To keep you connected with the impact you're making, we consistently update our community with detailed reports on the progress and achievements of our initiatives.

Who endorses Keren Ezra?

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We are endorsed by Rav Yitzchak Berkovitz, who is a leading authority in the Jewish community and a well-respected expert on interpersonal relationships.