Listen here, my child, Daddy has a scar

Long since times of war,

Shards never hit his body, but they did his soul,

That is why daddy can’t calm down

Avichai Hollander

 "Beyond that moment" – "End of workshop" event under the guidance of the late Dan Toren.
April 11th 2024

Music accompaniment: Michael Gotlib, Shai Alon, Noam Sperber.

SOUL KEY is a groundbreaking musical rehabilitation program aimed at facilitating a return to regular life to people dealing with post traumatic stress (PTSD) due to military service.
Studying music with the best teachers at the Conservatory and participating in creative, non-verbal processes to treat the trauma in a supportive environment, they find a way to heal their souls; some are even able return to regular work and social activities.
The program was founded and is directed on a voluntary basis by clinical psychologist Yifat Greenwald-Cohen, who treats PTSD patients professionally, and Michal Arad Abramov, Director of organizational development at the Conservatory.
SOUL Key program has been operating at the Conservatory since 2016. There are about 100 participants – former combatants, male and female, from various IDF units who have experienced trauma due to their military service, since Yom Kipur War to this day.
(Since its establishment over 150 ex-combatants have participated). They participate in music studies that include: playing every kind of musical instrument, singing, songwriting and composing, sound and music production, music theory, master classes, vocal workshops, drum workshops, talks and concerts.

A professional support framework has been established to handle moments of crisis and give guidance to teachers and staff. Since October 7 we have taken in casualties of the Iron Swords War
Over the years workshops and master classes have been held with leading local musicians such as: Achinoam Nini, Yoni Rechter, Shem Tov Levy, Alon Oleartchik, Shlomo Ydov, the late Dan Toren, Esther Rada, the late Corinne Allal, Peter Roth, Yali Sobol, Daniella Spektor, Rona Keinan, Leah Shabbat, Yermy Kaplan, Avi Singolda, Yair Nitzani, Dana Berger, radio personality Yoav Kutner and others.

Artists' event for the Soul Key Program, March 2021

Background, Vision and Goals

The program evolved from the understanding that music has a healing effect on the soul/ consciousness, and out of the desire to find additional paths for rehabilitating and supporting combatants who were sent on national assignments and returned with mental injuries.
Trauma interrupts the course of life. People with PTSD lose faith in the ability to live in the world with confidence. They also lose faith in society and in themselves. Engaging in music activates the healthy parts of the soul, bringing with it a sense of satisfaction and pleasure, competence, meaning and hope.
The program takes place at a center of musical activity – in the vibrant Conservatory of Music and offers a meeting place outside the confines of hospitals – a free, creative, spontaneous environment devoid of stigma, with the aim of bringing participants back to society.

The program is demanding and challenging:
Participants learn perseverance and commitment, dealing with frustration and interpersonal and social challenges.
Courses are created according to participants’ abilities and difficulties, so that each one can develop to the best of his capacity.

The main principles of SOUL Key:

Music studies for rehabilitation – music as a constant core commitment to produce meaningful, interesting, stimulating development and a path to emotional expression. The learning process allows participants to utilize their healthy mental and emotional strengths and in this way feelings of competence and self-esteem are reinforced.

Recognition and appreciation by Israeli society- Rehabilitation at a prestigious, centrally located establishment for music education means that participants are integrating into a fundamental social activity. In this way their difficulties and special needs are given the due social recognition and the appreciation they deserve, due to their contribution as combatants.

Support system – In view of the participants’ struggle to manage and organize their lives, we have in place a comprehensive, warmhearted, welcoming support system.

Israeli TV "Kan 11", a piece about the program

Study Programs

The Conservatory provides the professional teaching staff and all the necessary infrastructure: classrooms, rehearsal/training rooms and auditoriums, recording studio, loan of musical instruments, office services, etc.

Individual studies – weekly music and singing lessons based on private lessons with Conservatory teachers on all instruments: piano, flute, drum kit and percussion, guitar, oud and violin, as well as voice development, composition, sound studies and amplification.

Workshop for writing lyrics, and composing music for songs, courtesy of the late Rafi Farbman’s family. Mixed group and individual classes, was run by the late Dan Toren. Musicians Michael Gottlieb and Noam Sperber assist the participants in composing and production. Songs are recorded at the Conservatory recording studio. Individual tuition in writing song lyrics are held by songwriter and musician Tsruya Lahav.
Vocal ensembles for voice development, performance techniques and lyrics, under the guidance of Gòn Halevi.
Group classes – Music classes, and guided listening to music.  Master classes/ lectures/ workshops – open to everyone in the SOUL Key community. Group gatherings held once or twice a month with top artists. Present and former SOUL Key participants and other PTSD patients who are not part of the program are invited to these gatherings together with their spouses and partners.
SOUL Key participants are invited to attend all concerts and musical events held by the Conservatory.

Interviews with Soul Key Participants, Nov. 2019

Program Staff

Professional management in the field of mental health – Yifat Greenwald-Cohen.
General and Musical Direction – Michal Arad Abramov.
Running SOUL Key activities – Hadas Kaplan.
Recording studio and amplification – Yaron Aldema

Teaching staff

Gòn Halevi, Nadav Sivan, Yaron Aldema, Onn Kadosh, Avri Borochov, Anat Nazarathy, Tal Veron, Ran Shimoni, Gili Ben-Zvi, Ayala Sikron, Keren Biton, Shay Alon, Noam Sperber.
Assistance in practicing in between lessons and reinforcing learning – the “IDF outstanding musicians program”.

Our Thanks to the donors who make the program possible.

The program relies on Conservatory fundraising, private donations and scholarship funds. Recently, the First International Bank of Israel, with the assistance of the Lior Vishinsky Foundation, gave a substantial donation, which made it possible to double the number of participants and the range of activities.

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First International Bank, Farbman Family, Jacob Isler Foundation, Weisfeld Foundation (Canada), Lior Vishinsky Foundation (Cameri Theater), Vilnai Family Foundation, Tel Aviv Foundation, Pfizer Family, Zeev Feldman, Baruch Ivcher, Yoram Petrushka, Yael Eger, Iris & Chen Barir, Michal and Yuval Rakavy, Raphael Bajer, The Grinshpon Family, Lilli Dotan & Izhar Irony, Zipi Roytman, Brosh Nir Entrepreneurship, Ora Aharoni, Pa'amei Tikva, Noa Rosenberg, Anny Berman, Dafna & Bentzi Danieli Algazi, Kochavi Family, Shaily & Kobi Atzmon, Tamima Shahar, Ilana & Zeev Laor, Ruth Gorenstein, Kibbutz Sasa, Fidelity Gold Real Estate Marketing, Shemer Motion Ltd. and anonymous donors.

Media Articles and videos related to the Program