Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center

In memory of Dr. Hanita Zimrin, the founder of ELI and an extraordinary pioneer in child protection in Israel, we are delighted to announce the establishment of the Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center. The Center aims to disseminate and further scientific knowledge in the field and promulgate best practices and enhance outcomes for children and families in Israel and beyond.

The Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center encompasses the following four complementary program initiatives, which enable a comprehensive, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach.

Training Institute

Offering a Variety of Training Programs to Key Personnel and Officials

Pediatricians and teachers are often exposed to ongoing abuse cases, but some of them lack the knowledge or tools to best help the child. Similarly, lawyers and judges often face incidents of abuse in the courts. Still, they are seldomly trained to understand and deal sensitively with the complex dynamics of abused children and their families.

The lack of knowledge may seriously impact the ability of decision-makers to correctly assess various situations and act in the best interest of the child. The Training Institute expands ELI’s capacity to train key personnel involved in addressing child abuse, including pediatricians, lawyers, judges, and educational staff.

The Training Institute has been funded through the generosity of Dr. Peter Kraus and hereafter will be named the Dr. Peter Kraus Training Institute.

Research Center

Fostering Data-driven, Cutting-edge, Novel Approaches to Therapy and Policy

The Research Center will bring together academics, legislators, and experienced therapists alongside victims, relatives of victims, and rehabilitated perpetrators, in the aim of expanding knowledge, improving therapeutic practices, and discussing policy issues. In order to supplement their academic studies, researchers will have access to real-life ELI client cases, as appropriate.

Based in Israel’s geographic center and close to major universities, the Research Center will attract top-tier students to participate in cutting-edge research. Working in collaboration with leading academics and other experts, ELI’s clinical leadership will determine research content and identify eminently qualified investigators. Research results will be submitted for publication in international professional peer-reviewed journals.

Scholarship Fund

Investing in Future Generations

A scholarship fund will enable the vital academic work of students in fields related to working with abused children. Graduate students worldwide will be encouraged to apply. Academic experts and leaders will partner with ELI to identify suitable candidates and help choose the final recipients.

Therapy Clinic

Emotional Assistance and Support to Victims

ELI’s renowned therapists will work in close cooperation with all the initiatives of the Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center. Teachers who participate in a training program will have an opportunity to seek help and support themselves at the clinic for therapy. ELI already provides treatment for teachers who are coping with children living under challenging circumstances in their classrooms.Oversight of the Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center will fall under the aegis of ELI’s President and Board of Directors. Private foundations and donors will provide funding. Furthermore, ELI is negotiating with municipal and central government authorities to assure their commitment to preventing and treating child abuse and support the work of ELI and the Dr. Hanita Zimrin Center.

Timeline

First-quarter of 2022

By the end of 2022

2022

Phase I

Launch of the Dr. Peter Kraus Training Institute.
Securing of property for Center (By mid-year 2022)

Phase II

Opening of the Research Center.
Planning for the Research Center will begin in the first quarter of 2022

Phase III

Inauguration of the Scholarship Fund.
Putting together a decision-making committee and issuing a request for scholarship applications will begin in February; the first scholarships are expected to be distributed in May.

Concurrently with the above, ELI’s Therapy Clinic will continue to be expanded and enhanced to accommodate societal needs and to address new issues (e.g., cyberbullying).