JACS Library - Our Stories

JACS: Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others

JACS LIBRARY - OUR STORIES

Recovery in Israel

I feel fortunate to have spent three weeks in Israel recently. While there, I attended NA and AA meetings in Jerusalem and visited Nachat Ruach, a rehab center in Jerusalem.

There are now English NA meetings four nights a week in Jerusalem, usually attended by ten to twenty people. The meetings are in an office, behind the Spaggetim restaurant on Rabbi Akiva street. If you are in Israel, call 02-277677 for more info.

AA is also alive and well in Jerusalem. There are five English meetings, two Hebrew meetings, and one Arabic meeting each week. The Arabic meeting is a new addition to the schedule and is very well attended. At first the meeting was planned for an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem, but the group decided to meet in a Jewish neighborhood to ensure anonymity.

All the AA meetings are held in an office at 24 Rehov HaPalmach. Call Felix at 02-630524 for more info. AA meeting s are also held daily in Tel Aviv, three times a week in Haifa (including a Russian meeting), twice a week in Eilat and Netanya, and once a week in Ashquelon, Beersheva, and Tiberias.

Al-Anon has an English meeting every Sunday in Jerusalem. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are still becoming established in Israel.

When I go to meetings in Jerusalem, I have to let go of my concept of what meetings should be. They are different there. For openers, there are still very few AA and NA groups in the country. If someone doesn't like the people in a particular group, their options are limited.

Bilingual addicts can get some variety by attending Hebrew or English meetings. Many attend meetings in Tel Aviv occasionally to broaden their experience. But, for the most part, recovery is nurtured by the small community of recovering people in Jerusalem.

There is a shortage of people to serve as sponsors. Few people with many years of recovery are active in the fellowships. If a newcomer doesn't hit it off with the first three or four sponsors, they may not have many options left. This is especially true for those interested in doing rigorous step work. Finding a suitable mentor can be tough (of course, it can be pretty difficult here, too). One addict I know is working on a fourth step with the guidance of an American sponsor who gives advice by letter and telephone. People who make Aliyah to Israel after some years of recovery have brought much appreciated experience to local recovery groups.

If you are planning a trip to Israel, try to include some meetings in your itinerary. It will be a boost to both your recovery and to the Israeli groups. And when you return, please let the JACS office know of any changes in the meeting schedule, so we can keep an up to date list available.