Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus
A rare opportunity to encounter Israel through one of its most human, inspiring lenses will take place when United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosts members of Israel’s renowned Dream Doctors Project. Professional medical clowns, the group brings healing, dignity, and emotional support to patients and families in Israel and around the world.
For more than two decades, Dream Doctors has been fully integrated into medical teams in 33 hospitals, trauma units, and humanitarian missions. Their work isn’t just entertainment, it’s evidence‑based therapeutic care, using empathy, improvisation, humor, and nonverbal communication to reduce anxiety, build trust, and support recovery.
During this special evening, Tsour Shriqui, Dream Doctors CEO, will be joined by some of the professional medical clowns who comprise the Dream Doctors team. Together, they will share their unique journeys and provide insight into their work in hospitals, emergency response situations, and humanitarian programs. They will reflect on their experiences since October 7 and other high-pressure situations and offer a behind-the-scenes look at their “No War Zone” initiative, showing how compassion and creativity become vital tools as they collaborate with medical teams to support patients in the most challenging environments.
The event is part of a larger five‑day residency that will include hands‑on workshops with local healthcare providers, arts organizations, and students. The community event, however, is the centerpiece: an evening of uplifting storytelling and behind‑the‑scenes insight into what it means to bring comfort in moments of fear, instability, and loss. The visiting speakers will illustrate how Israel shows up for its own people as well as for communities worldwide through Dream Doctors’ service in disaster zones as part of the Israeli Army Medical Corps reserve, bringing their skills to field hospitals and international humanitarian missions.
Free and open to the community, this program is presented as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series.
If interested in being involved in the residency or having Dream Doctors speak to a group, contact Nofar Trem. For more information on this and other Israel Today programs, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
