Ninety people from JLIC communities across Israel came to the Neve Ilan Hotel over Shabbat, December 26-27, 2025 for the JLIC Miluim Wellness Retreat. Chayalim, miluimnikim, and their families. Some solo, some with spouses and kids. All of them dealing with the reality of reserve duty and what it takes out of you.
Rabbi Eitan Phillips, JLIC Director at Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Mordecai D. Katz z’l program, organized the retreat. He and his fellow JLIC directors have collectively done over 1,000 days of miluim themselves in the last two years. They know what it’s like, and they built a weekend for people who needed it.
JLIC communities across Israel include plenty of people doing miluim. This retreat was about connecting them with each other and giving them a weekend where someone else was taking care of them for a change.
The event was made possible through partnerships with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Get Help Israel Fund.
The Weekend
The programming offered options for what people actually needed: therapeutic art, breathwork, yoga and somatic therapy. A pre-Shabbat jam in the lobby before candle lighting. Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by Friday night dinner and small group sessions that went late into the evening.
Saturday included couples sessions, sessions on befriending the nervous system, shiurim, and afternoon options for everyone to choose from along with plenty of opportunities for rest. Babysitting ran throughout the weekend so parents could actually be present or take a needed break.
What People Said
One participant from Haifa wrote: “I feel like miluim is taken for granted by my PI and students, since I don’t show signals of struggle. Coming home is always stressful and I highly enjoyed being among others that are in the same boat. I can’t thank JLIC enough, and specifically Rav Ben, I would like to thank you for seeing me in the session and the end. Amazing kiruv for me.”
“It was very meaningful to have sessions run with other olim and importantly in English. Not only sharing similar experiences but it was very meaningful to be able to express everything in English.”
“We just finished a round of Miluim and it was very important for us to have that time and space to reconnect and get the tools we needed to help move on.”
“It was an amazing feeling to be seen and appreciated.”
“I heard from and saw people like me going through the same feelings and struggles. I saw that I’m not unique/alone in my reaction.”
“It was super meaningful to finally meet JLIC leaders and people part of the community who serve in miluim and live as an example for the rest of olim. JLIC always seemed to be very disconnected from miluim/army which is a part of our daily lives in Israel. It was inspiring and meaningful to meet more miluimnikim/families of miluimnikim who are part of the community and to see that the organizers of JLIC recognize miluimnikim and their contribution too.”
“It was so lovely to have time supported by other miluim spouses and to see the shared experiences. It was also so valuable for me to be able to have a dedicated time with my spouse to reconnect and be with each other.”
The Feedback
Participants rated the retreat highly on how much it helped them feel supported. When asked what they gained, responses included connection, tools for coping, validation of their experiences, and renewed energy.
Almost every participant said they wanted JLIC to continue with miluim events.
Moving Forward
Based on the response, this won’t be the last one. The people who came made it clear they need more of this.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about and to support JLIC and our programming.
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