Amid Wartime Crisis, Reuth’s Eating Disorders Institute Stays Open—and Saves Progress

July 3, 2025 — As mental health and outpatient services across Israel were forced to shutter during the recent 12-Day War with Iran, Reuth TLV’s Eating Disorders Institute stood firm—continuing treatment every single day for dozens of vulnerable patients facing not only national turmoil, but also the deeply personal struggle of eating disorders.

Under the leadership of Amir Zendakovich, the Institute’s dedicated team transitioned to fully remote care within hours of the first sirens—drawing on hard-earned experience from the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of October 7. Their swift action ensured life-saving continuity of care during a period of nationwide shutdowns.

“We didn’t miss a single day,” said Zendakovich. “Even in the chaos, we kept our patients connected—to each other, to us, and to hope.”

Of the 17 young women currently in the outpatient hospitalization program, 15 continued daily participation through Zoom—engaging in two supervised meals, two group therapy sessions, and one-on-one therapy each day. The Institute’s two additional treatment tracks, serving another 13 patients, also continued structured care remotely, including psychiatric support.

But the challenges were profound. Many patients had to return home to family environments that were far from ideal—some emotionally unsafe, others lacking the routine and independence that recovery requires. Several began to relapse, struggling with restriction, binging, and purging in isolation and under pressure.

Zendakovich’s team responded instantly: launching emergency Zoom sessions for parents, reinforcing daily structure, and offering personalized support to every patient. They carried this out while managing their own upheavals—caring for children and aging parents, relocating due to missile damage, and navigating the fear and uncertainty of war.

Sunday marked the return to in-person treatment at Reuth—and it was anything but ordinary. Patients arrived visibly shaken. Some had regressed. But they showed up. And so did the team.

“It felt like returning from the battlefield,” Zendakovich reflected. “But we were here. And so were they.”

Even on this emotionally heavy day, the team onboarded three new patients and completed full intake assessments—a testament to the Institute’s unshakable commitment.

This moment is more than a story of professional dedication. It’s a reflection of the values that define Reuth TLV: resilience, humanity, and the belief that no one should face hardship alone.

In a time of national crisis, Reuth’s Eating Disorders Institute did more than maintain services—it protected progress, preserved dignity, and kept young people tethered to hope.