AZ HOUSE

Name: AZ House
Address: IL

The AZ House is based on the successful addiction recovery model and philosophy introduced by Jack Mullhal in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1991.

Jack’s driving force was the belief that a chance for sober living should be available to anyone determined to overcome their addiction, regardless of their ability to pay for the help they need. He first opened the Freedom House, which has successfully supported addicts recovery for over 20 years. The Freedom House has served as the basis for eight similar programs in the Cleveland area.

Jack’s dream was to create a therapeutic community in which addicts and alcoholics could focus solely on their recovery. With the support of peers and knowledgeable staff, they then progress to develop the skills required for successful independent lives. Finding work and participating in household responsibilities are fundamental to the program he developed. Jack, who became sober through Alcoholics Anonymous, established the 12-Steps at the center of his program. Residents are required to attend daily meetings, work the 12-Steps with a sponsor, and participate in facilitated groups.

The AZ House was opened in 2016 after it was recognized that there was a lack of free residential recovery opportunities available in Israel. Named after Avroham Ze’ev Olive, a 23-year-old young man who sadly never achieved recovery, the AZ House aims to provide a much-needed service that has a proven track record of treating addicts and alcoholics.

WHO WE ARE

The AZ House is a men's residential therapeutic environment, offering residents the chance to learn how to live in a community, develop self-discipline, become respectful contributors to society, and achieve freedom from addiction.

The fully-funded program, which is 12-Step based, offers residents the opportunity to disconnect and focus solely on their recovery. First, their contact with the outside world is extremely limited, and all outside activities are monitored by staff; this strict but encouraging system helps residents develop a strong foundation. This opportunity to focus intensely on their recovery will serve them for the rest of their lives.

The program's second stage supports residents in developing self-sufficiency and seeking employment. Once settled into a job, they must simultaneously maintain their responsibilities and commitments to the house. Finally, residents begin the process of re-establishing themselves in society and become ready to plan the next steps of their newfound way of life. However, there is no rush to leave the house, and residents are encouraged to stay as long as necessary.

Currently, few treatment centers cater to the Jewish community, especially regarding stringent orthodox laws. The AZ House offers observant Jews the opportunity to focus on their recovery while maintaining their religious practices. The treatment center does not proselytize Judaism, and we do not force residents into becoming more or less religious. Many residents may not be observant, and we are sensitive to this: secular, religious, non-Jewish – all are welcome.

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OUR PROGRAM

How It Works - The AZ Curriculum

Part 1 – Initial Stay:

Opportunity to disconnect, develop a foundation, and focus solely on recovery

Contact with the outside world is extremely limited

All outside activities are monitored by staff

For the first 2 weeks, residents need to be with one another or a staff member at all times

1-3 months – group therapy and activities

Daily AA meetings are a requirement

Residents have daily chores to maintain the campus

Learn to live in a community, develop self-discipline

Become respectful contributors to society

Group facilitators run the majority of groups

No cell phones

No cash – if allowed, must provide receipts

Residents do not hold onto their medication

Not a police-style environment, but rules must be followed

Part 2 – Looking for Work:

Time to move forward; Residents begin the next step to becoming self-sufficient
Residents look for a job and must maintain household responsibilities and commitments.
Staff are available to help, but residents do all work
Help available to become an Israeli citizen, obtain work permits, etc
On days when they are not looking for work – residents participate in groups and campus upkeep
Access to cell phone for employment purposes only
Part 2 is considered a privilege, as it requires being invited to stay for the second part of the program.
To advance to Part 2 and LFW, residents must complete the 12-Steps

Part 3 - Three Quarters:

Opportunity to re-establish themselves in the community and institute a new way of life
Earned by being an excellent example in the house and deemed as a role model for new residents
Earned after they are able to pay 1st month’s rent
6-month commitment, but residents can stay as long as necessary
More freedoms: cell phone, TV, laptop
Allowed on own without staff supervision
It is encouraged but not required to attend therapy and group sessions – able to facilitate groups for newer residents.
They are encouraged to attend 12-Step meetings and keep in contact with their sponsors – a foundation for life outside the house.
Create a viable exit plan with staff

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DONATIONS - MAKE A DIFFERENCE

DonorBox

The AZ House is a non–profit organization that depends on the generosity from members of the community to help save lives and reunite families. The AZ House is a 501 (c)(3) tax ID number: EM#81-4628440

Israeli Account Information

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank

Bank and Branch Number: 20–40100

Account Number: 371454

Account Name: AZ House

SWIFT Code: MIZBILITJLM

American Account Information

Please contact for American wire details.

Or make a check payable to AZ House and mail it to:

23 Nahum Ehrenfeld Street, Pisgat Ze'ev Jerusalem Israel, 9755623