From a stubborn teenager to a mentor: The story of Nachman Fried
Nachman Fried arrived at Ziv Neurim in the eighth grade, when the sea was foreign to him and school was a source of trouble. Today, he is an instructor at the organization, representing it in sailing competitions and helping other teens find their way. "The sea changed me for the better," he says.
When Nachman Fried first arrived at the Ziv Neurim maritime center in Hadera in the eighth grade, he didn't really know what to do with the sea. In fact, he barely knew it—and certainly didn't know how much it would influence his life.
"The sea opened everything up for me," he says today. "Before Ziv Neurim, I didn't really know what the sea was. I arrived here in the eighth grade, and before that, I was mostly fighting and causing problems in every framework." The encounter with the sea was much more for him than just an afternoon activity. Gradually, it became a space where he could stop, relax, think, and feel capable of doing things differently.
"But the sea is not just a place to enjoy," he says. "It calms you down, organizes your thoughts, and opens you up. The sea changed me for the better, and that is entirely thanks to the organization."
From the sea to leadership
Nachman's story illustrates the idea behind the Ziv Neurim educational program: change does not happen in one moment. It is built through perseverance, personal connection, and a growing sense of responsibility.
The goal is to give trainees the ability to persevere, deal with challenges, and take personal responsibility. For Nachman, this process went especially far.
"It's not just coming to the sea," he says. "As you grow, you understand the importance of this place—that you can change everything in your life from here. Once, the sea was just a place to enjoy, but it's more than that."
From trainee to instructor
Over time, the trainee became the one leading others. "I didn't expect this to happen," he admits. "But today I represent Ziv Neurim in competitions and I am an instructor. You realize how much you can do and change."
Moving from trainee to instructor symbolizes his own transformation. "I wanted to instruct to have authority and responsibility. Becoming an instructor is crazy for me. You feel that you are guiding children and helping them develop. It changed my direction in life and my future."
Through the process at Ziv Neurim, Nachman managed to complete his matriculation exams, acquire a profession, and look forward with the feeling that his future is in his hands.
"She's like a mother"
When Nachman talks about what made Ziv Neurim significant, he points to the people. "The best thing about the organization is the staff. It's a huge support system that doesn't exist anywhere else."
At the head of this support was Dana Hadar, the director of the education department, who became a significant figure in his life. "The connection with Dana is special," he says. "She's no longer just an instructor; she's like a mother. She is always there, ready to help with whatever you need."
For Dana, Nachman's story is the reason the program exists. "I am the proudest of him in the world," she says. "The change Nachman made is night and day. He is an inspiration to many trainees who look for his guidance."
Being for others what they were for him
For Nachman, continuity took on another meaning: he stayed to be for others what his instructors were for him. "The instructors here are friends and partners who will do everything for you until you succeed," he says. "The activity changed me from end to end. There are other boys and girls like me who, if they persevere, will succeed miraculously."
Nachman summarizes his path: "If I hadn't entered the sea, hadn't persevered, and hadn't become an instructor, I don't know what kind of person I would have been."
About Ziv Neurim
The Ziv Neurim organization was founded by veterans of Shayetet 13 in memory of their friend, Ziv Levy, and has been operating for over 26 years to empower at-risk youth. The organization combines challenging maritime activity (sailing, surfing, rowing) with an educational process to develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience. In recent years, Ziv Neurim has expanded to include programs for evacuee families, bereaved families, and veterans suffering from post-trauma.
