“First You” in Daliat el Carmel: Strength, Sisterhood, and Shared Resilience

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, WIZO recognized something essential: women, as pillars of their families and communities, needed a space to breathe, reconnect, and rebuild their resilience.

From that insight, the “First You” (“Kodem At”) program was born.

From Crisis Response to National Movement

Initially developed by WIZO Israel’s Eilat branch, “First You” helps women develop personal, maternal, and family resilience during times of crisis, from the pandemic to ongoing conflict and its emotional aftermath. The program’s success led to its expansion into a national initiative, with groups now running across Israel.

Ten new groups launched across northern Israel, including sessions for Hebrew speakers, Russian-speaking women, and one remarkable group in Daliat el Carmel, conducted in Arabic for the Druze community.

“It was important that every group would be guided by a facilitator who not only speaks the language,” explains Dr. Michal Rom, the northern regional coordinator of First You, “but also truly understands the cultural nuances of the women she works with.”

From Trauma to Empowerment

Through these meetings, participants learned to shift from helplessness to action. They explored how emotional intelligence and self-compassion could coexist with strength and clarity. Ekhlass guided them to identify the one sphere they could control: their own reactions.

One participant described a profound transformation:
“I used to avoid conflict, even with my children. I was afraid to set boundaries. Now I can say, ‘I love you, but I also love myself.'”

This spirit of empowerment spread quickly. The women began supporting each other outside the workshops, checking in regularly, and continuing to meet weekly even after the official program ended. They had become more than participants; they were a community.

Words from Ghadah Kamal, Chairwoman of WIZO Daliat el Carmel

“The group was very close-knit, and the women spoke openly about their personal stories during the war,” shared Ghadah Kamal, Chairwoman of the WIZO Daliat el Carmel branch. “These stories united them. The fears they faced were not meant to be avoided but to be understood and confronted with courage. The power of personal interpretation and how it affects our quality of life were central to our discussions.”

She explained that the first part of the First You workshop included ten meetings focused on women’s empowerment, clear boundary setting, self-awareness, and developing a personal path aligned with each woman’s values. Following the massacre in Suwayda and the horrors that unfolded there, WIZO Israel offered an additional ten meetings to help strengthen the women’s emotional resilience. The sessions provided practical tools for emotional management and coping with frustration.

“The participants shared that these tools significantly improved their quality of life,” Ghadah added. “We are deeply grateful to WIZO Israel for the professional guidance and support throughout the entire process. The personal mentoring that facilitator Ekhlass Azam received from Dr. Michal Rom, and the professional growth that came with it, empowered her to lead with strength and compassion during a time of deep uncertainty in our country and the world.”

A Shared Identity of Strength

Discussions also turned toward identity and unity. The women reflected on being Druze and Israeli, mothers and citizens, women and human beings, all facing shared fears and hopes. The group drew strength from Israel’s solidarity with Druze communities in Syria and from the sense that, despite differences, they were all part of one nation standing together.

“At the end,” said Ekhlass, “they said these weren’t just workshops, they were therapy. Each woman found her voice, her balance, and her place in a bigger picture.”

Proven Impact Across the North

Across the northern region, “First You” has proven to be one of WIZO’s most impactful initiatives. A recent evaluation covering eight completed groups revealed exceptionally high satisfaction:
• Over 90% attendance throughout the program
• 63% of participants formed strong bonds of friendship
• 84% requested to continue the program beyond its scheduled end

Women described the workshops as “transformative,” “empowering,” and “life-changing.” They reported newfound confidence, self-acceptance, and emotional tools for handling life’s uncertainty—exactly the program’s mission.

Building Stronger Communities, One Woman at a Time

The Daliat el Carmel group exemplifies WIZO’s unique ability to unite women of all backgrounds—Jewish, Druze, Arab, and immigrant—through shared humanity and resilience. “First You” is more than a workshop. It’s a reminder that true strength begins with self-awareness, connection, and compassion, and that when women grow stronger, entire communities thrive.