To help fathers returning from prolonged reserve duty reintegrate into their home environment, Early Starters launched the "Time with Dad" program. Today, around 20 groups offer structured support to many families around the country.
"Extended reserve service - especially when it includes loss and trauma - changes you," said Yoel Goldberg, 45, a father of four from Moshav Ganei Tal. The reserve soldier served more than 400 days in reserve duty and was away from home for extended periods.
During Goldberg's service, 21 IDF reservists from his unit were killed in the building collapse disaster in central Gaza, and he later continued to serve in rear-support roles within the Gaza Division.
"After the service, I forgot what it means to make a sandwich and play with my child," said another of the project participants, who lost friends in the Gaza building collapse disaster, as an example of the challenging reality faced by fathers who return home after extended service duty.
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"In the field, you learn to function and to be strong. But at home, there's a gap. You come back after months - sometimes years of separation, and you’re not the same father. You forget the small things - making a sandwich, taking your kids to school, playing with them. Those everyday moments define fatherhood, and they disappear during long service," said Goldberg.
The former reservist participated in the "Time with Dad" program together with his first-grade twins. "It may sound simple, but reconnecting through small, daily interactions is critical. The program helped me transition back to family life and to routine," he said.
The program, supported by the Schusterman Family Philanthropies-Israel and the Glazer Foundation, provides structured group sessions for reserve soldiers and their young children, offering a safe environment for families to play, participate in shared activities, and have conversations.
"Many fathers return home deeply committed to their families but carrying emotional weight from their service," said Helli Naftalovich, Director of Israel Operations at Early Starters International.
She added, "The program creates a structured, nonjudgmental space where fathers and young children can reconnect through guided play and interaction. It’s not about therapy - it’s about rebuilding routine, presence, and trust."
The initiative currently operates in approximately 20 locations across Israel and continues to expand.
Following pilot groups in Ashdod, Ofakim, and Sha’ar HaNegev, sessions are now active in Ramat Hasharon and Tiberias, with additional groups opening in Tel Aviv, Ness Ziona, Hod Hasharon, Modi'in, Pardes Hanna, Netivot, Sderot, the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council, the Hevel Yavne Regional Council, and other communities.