In a world where life's darkest moments often seem to overshadow everything else, finding hope can feel impossible. Yet, for countless individuals facing the challenges of aging, illness, and grief, Life’s Door—or Gisha L’Chaim in Hebrew—has emerged as that beacon of hope. Founded 19 years ago by Prof Ben Corn, MD, an oncologist and researcher at Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, and Dvora Corn, an occupational therapist and family therapist, Life's Door has been committed to providing essential tools and support to those navigating some of life’s most trying experiences. Life’s Door is making a profound impact both in Israel and around the world.
Finding Hope and Meaning
"We are helping people find hope and meaning through evidence-based and actually pretty easy-to-learn tools," explains Dvora Corn, the organization’s co-founder and president. "These tools have reached tens of thousands of people each year, mostly here in Israel, but also globally. To have the greatest impact, we focus on training teams of health professionals and social service providers in tools to help people to live with meaning in times of illness, trauma, and loss."
The importance of such training has become even more evident in the wake of the events of October 7th, which have left a lasting impact on the Israeli population. Since that time, Life’s Door, with its partners, has mobilized its training teams to reach 3,500 people, providing them with the Hopetimize tool, which has shown remarkable results in improving well-being, reducing burnout, and even decreasing depression among caregivers. As Corn emphasized, "Our programs have transformed times of anguish and isolation and created paths to light and hope. Our Hopetimize tool is not just a temporary fix. It builds resilience and hope, essential ingredients for all our lives.” By fostering these states of emotion, Life’s Door is providing essential ingredients for optimism in the face of adversity.
The Power of Partnership
Life’s Door isn’t working in a vacuum. The organization has forged partnerships with leading organizations such as Matav, and the Maccabi and Leumit Health Funds, to name a few. These partnerships are crucial in extending the reach and impact of Life’s Door’s programs.
One powerful example of this partnership in action is with Matav, a leading organization in the field of home-based nursing care. Corn shared a compelling story about the efforts made during the first week of the war to support foreign workers in Israel: "Matav serves over 70,000 people daily, relying on a diverse workforce that includes foreign workers, volunteers, and various levels of care providers. During the war, we engaged in urgent support efforts, training 1,033 people from Matav’s network in our programs. These are people who might have otherwise left, but they stayed, offering critical support to the most vulnerable."
This example highlights not only the immediate impact of Life’s Door’s interventions but also the long-term benefits of their approach. By equipping caregivers with the tools they need to maintain their own well-being, Life’s Door ensures that these individuals can continue to provide care for others, even in the most challenging circumstances.
"Healthcare teams are people, they are not robots, and they must be cared for if we want them to care for us," Corn explained. Those on the frontlines of care—whether healthcare professionals or family members—need support to continue their vital work.
Comprehensive Care and Evidence-Based Impact
Life’s Door’s vision extends beyond immediate care to encompass a broader approach to well-being. Their programs address not just the physical aspects of illness and aging, but also the emotional and psychological dimensions, providing a holistic model of care. Corn explained, "The health care system has a mandate to cure physical diseases, and it does this quite well. But traveling the journey of illness or aging involves much more than just physical health. It’s about well-being, the ability to cope, and the ability to live with hope and dignity, even in the face of serious challenges."
This holistic approach is perhaps best exemplified in their new program at the Helmsley Rehabilitation Center. This program aims to offer every patient and family member tools to build hope, using a digitized platform that continues to support users even after they’ve attended the in-person programs. Every staff member at the new facility will also be trained in the principles of hope, well-being, and caregiver burnout. "This is the philosophy we want to embed from the ground up," Corn emphasized. "It’s not just about treating diseases; it’s about supporting the whole person, their families, and the caregivers who are with them every step of the way."
"All of Life’s Door’s programs are rigorously studied to assess outcomes and impact, and we are proud to be leading this scientific inquiry to support evidence-based interventions," says Prof. Ben Corn. The organization’s commitment to rigorous evaluation of their programs is a cornerstone of their work. Results have been published in peer-reviewed journals around the world. The organization has been engaged by leading medical centers internationally, including UCLA Medical Center, the University of Michigan, and Johns Hopkins, among others.
Looking Ahead
As Life’s Door continues to expand its reach and impact, the need for their work has never been more apparent. At a time when many are grappling with unprecedented challenges, the tools and training provided by Life’s Door offer a path forward—a way to navigate the darkest moments with hope, meaning, and resilience.
In Corn’s words, "We cannot change reality, but we can change the way we respond to it." And through their innovative programs, dedicated partnerships, and unwavering commitment to evidence-based care, Life’s Door is doing just that—helping people not just survive, but truly live, even in the face of life’s most difficult challenges.
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