At Talpiot Youth Village, one of the five youth villages we support in Israel, love is more than a feeling – it’s a lifeline.
For decades, I have witnessed how this extraordinary community provides a safe haven for some of Israel’s most vulnerable children, starting as young as five years old. Removed from their families by the welfare authorities, the children of Talpiot come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect and trauma, often with little experience of what it is to feel safe, cared for or loved.
Through the incredible dedication of Talpiot’s staff, especially its house parents, these children find the warmth of a family for the first time in their lives. I’ve seen first-hand how this transformative environment helps them heal, grow and finally discover their potential.
A father to many
Among the remarkable individuals who shaped Talpiot was Eliav Avitbul z”l, a beloved house father who tragically lost his life defending Israel during Rosh Hashanah. Eliav has left behind his wife, three young children and the devastated Talpiot community to whom he and his wife dedicated their lives with unwavering care and love. For six years, Eliav was a mentor, guide and foster father to 12 young boys at Talpiot. His boundless kindness, wisdom and unwavering belief in their abilities gave these children a sense of hope and self-worth. One of his foster sons told me: “Eliav was more than a mentor. He was the first person who truly believed in me. He made me feel like my life mattered.”
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Eliav with some of his foster sons.[Missing Credit]
Eliav’s compassion extended beyond his immediate family unit. He became a source of encouragement and strength for every child in Talpiot’s residential care units, showing them their futures could be bright and full of promise. Eliav’s loss is deeply felt, not only by those closest to him but by the entire Talpiot community and beyond. For me, he symbolised love in action, a reminder of how deeply one person’s care and dedication can transform countless lives.