Keren-Or Solomon is the founder and director of Keren-Or Farm in Beit Berl, a unique rehabilitation farm built around an innovative concept that connects the healing of animals with the healing of people. Following October 7, it also became one of Israel’s significant centers for trauma and bereavement care. Founded in 2017, the farm brings together rescued animals recovering from abandonment, neglect and abuse with people facing trauma and personal crises. Healing does not move in one direction: as people offer animals patience, safety and trust, they gradually rediscover those same qualities within themselves.

On October 7, this philosophy became deeply personal. Keren-Or’s younger sister, Hilly Solomon, may she rest in peace, who served in the IDF’s Oketz canine unit and deeply loved animals, was murdered at the Nova Festival. In her memory, Keren-Or established the Hilly Center for Trauma and Bereavement, providing care for festival survivors, their families, bereaved families and others affected by trauma. During the war with Iran, when the farm’s work was threatened by the lack of a protected space, the Nova Tribe Community Association helped fund a protective shelter within days, allowing treatment to continue.

Keren-Or’s work is about transforming loss into healing, and is guided by a remarkable idea: when humans and animals learn to trust again together, both can begin to heal.