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13 September 2024
As we approach one year since October 7th, each It’s Friday will focus on how our community continues to make a difference for Israel and Israelis. This week, I’ve asked Federation President, Robin Hettleman Weinberg, to share her thoughts. – Gil Preuss, CEO
Friends,
How do you overcome trauma?
I’ve been thinking about it since screening the new film, We Will Dance Again, at the Edlavitch DCJCC. It is a stark portrayal of the experiences of those who survived and those who didn’t at the Nova Festival.
“I will never be the same person I was before the 7th of October.”
“My parents don’t deserve to bury a daughter.”
Most of the survivors are in their 20s. Their trauma may take a lifetime to heal.
I’ve been thinking about the IDF, too. Since the war began, the soldiers of premier Unit 669, medical teams, and Israeli Air Force squadrons have been operating under fire deep in Gaza to rescue and perform complex and lifesaving medical treatment.
The IDF estimates that 95,000 active-duty soldiers and reservists will require mental health support and therapy delivery to process the traumatic experiences of war in Gaza and the northern front.
It is for these survivors, these soldiers, and so many other Israelis still suffering after October 7th, that our community has invested $3.6 million in trauma response through Federation.
Our community has shown up, over and over, these last 343 days. I look forward to our continued partnership and to the time when we will dance again.
Read on for stories of the survivors, soldiers, and organizations we continue to support.
Shabbat Shalom,
Robin Hettleman Weinberg
President, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
It’s Friday. You’re saving lives in Israel.
- “The journey, the friends, and connections helped me continue my life in a healthy and complete way, to understand what I wanted from life—to understand that I want life.” – Gaia Harris
- Gaia, a combat paramedic, participated in a multi-day early prevention healing retreat, funded in part by your generous support. Designed and run by Bshvil Hamachar, these retreats equip soldiers with tools and coping strategies to move from dysfunction and depression to rebuilding as they overcome combat-related trauma.
- Iftach M. and his elite Unit 669 combat team were called up for reserve duty on October 7th. For five months, they saved hundreds of lives in harrowing missions. Afterwards, Itach began to draw, guided with the support of Bshvil HaMachar, to make sense of the tragedies he experienced. Watch the video below to hear Iftach speak about his art at its exhibit in Tel Aviv.
- “Talking to other survivors and telling my story over and over reduced the nightmares. It helped me sleep at night. It helped me to speak about the day without crying, without blackouts.”– Eilat Tibi
- Eilat, the former assistant to the deputy mayor of Tel Aviv, wouldn’t speak about what she’d experienced, feeling that since she had “only” been running for her life for two hours, she wasn’t really a survivor. She’d only gotten lucky. On October 8th, Tibi rejoined her air force unit in the reserves. Gradually, she began healing. Your funding ensured Eilat could receive support from Tribe of Nova Foundation, whose work is supporting long-term trauma recovery for survivors and the bereaved families. They provide a community-based support system that fosters post-traumatic growth, reduces isolation, and mitigates the risks of suicide.