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NATAL’s new home is located at 10 Ibn Gabirol Street in central Tel Aviv. Dedicated on the 6th of May 2007, the building was contributed for NATAL’s use by Judith Yovel Recanati and the Yovel family as an expression of their appreciation of NATAL’s efforts to strengthen the spirit and resilience of Israeli society. The sign at the building’s entrance and all of the signs throughout the building are the work of artist Molly Ben Porat. The entry foyer is adorned by a mosaic created by Lauri Recanati, in the form NATAL’s symbol – a tree. |
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The tree symbolizes the process that trauma victims undergo when they are treated at NATAL. Like a trauma victim, if a tree loses one of its branches in a fire or a serious injury causes part of the tree to stop growing, the other branches can overcome the injury. The tree blooms and begins to grow again. This is the goal of the therapeutic process – if someone has experienced a traumatic experience and loses his desire to live, he can discover, within himself, the strength to grow again and return to life. A person entering NATAL House is greeted by a “green corner” – a bench to sit while waiting, surrounded by green plants. It is intended for resting, relaxing and facilitating the transition from the tumult of the street to the quiet of NATAL House.
From the moment you enter the house, it is possible to feel the warm, homelike, pleasant atmosphere that prevails on all five floors. After entering, an elevator brings people to their desired destination. Each floor houses one of NATAL’s units:
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On the first floor is the Social-Therapeutic Club including rooms designed for workshops, movement and music, as well as a spacious kitchen for cooking lessons. The Hot Line is also located on this floor with rooms for volunteers, training and resting.
The second floor houses the administrative departments: Management, Resource Development, Public Relations and Communications , Internet, Community Outreach and Research. |
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The Clinical Department occupies the third floor where there are rooms for individual and group therapy, as well as an art studio. The Multi-Disciplinary Training Center is on the fourth floor, where there are classrooms, a spacious library and information center and a room for movement therapy. The top level of NATAL House features two flowering roof gardens for the benefit of everyone who works in and visits the house.
NATAL House is a center for therapy, research, learning and meeting with a variety relevant groups, each with a direct or indirect connection to NATAL’s field of interest. It is also a place that makes it possible for artists to express themselves on relevant themes, in a range of genres – theater, poetry, cinema, visual arts, etc.
NATAL hold seminars and conferences for a variety professionals and target populations, which it advertises on its Internet site and using other accepted forms of electronic and print media. Some of the seminars and conferences are held on the new NATAL House and when the house was planned, special attention was give to this function.
Access Israel has recognized NATAL House as a building that is accessible to people with disabilities, who are welcomed as warmly as any other visitors.
NATAL House was designed by Yossi Friedman Architects. The renovations were supervised by Architect Yuval Nadal and the work was done by contractors Itzik and Moshe Elstein. All of them are continuing to work with NATAL and help with activities in the new building.
The renovation project lasted approximately 20 months and was implemented by first- class professionals and consultants who considered their participation in the project a way to express their admiration for the important work that NATAL does.
Judith Yovel Recanati and everyone at NATAL express their gratitude to everyone who participated in building NATAL House and to everyone who contributed equipment, in whole or in part. They wish to express their appreciation and gratitude for the special gestures made by every individual, each according to his means.
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