Throughout my life, I have experienced personal trauma. It often takes a while for me to fully understand the emotional and mental impact trauma has on my life. However, when I take a step back, I am able to understand what happened and find the tools to process my emotions. In the almost two years since 10/7, the trauma and its impact on me have become much clearer.
I’ve talked to many people who echo this same sentiment, including several people earlier this week. On Tuesday, I attended a philanthropy workshop in Columbus for Federation professionals. During the workshop we discussed how we struggle with the intense impact of 10/7 on our work lives.
Our responsibilities as Jewish communal professionals require us, in part, to educate our community, respond to protesters, interact with the media, and have critical conversations with our supporters and detractors in both the Jewish and secular communities. At the same time, we have to defend Israel and its right to exist.
Many people in our Jewish community can relate to these struggles ~ and it’s happening everywhere. A few months ago, I read an article from JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) titled, “These therapists give a name to the way Jewish distress has been ignored since Oct. 7: ‘Traumatic invalidation’ – Jewish Telegraphic Agency.” It is an incredible article that addresses the issues mentioned above to a tee.
One thing that particularly interested me is the experience known as traumatic invalidation – a psychological wound that occurs when a person’s suffering is dismissed or erased. When I saw this, I knew immediately I needed to reach out to one of the women interviewed for the article, Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, to come to our community and share her knowledge with us.
Dr. Bar-Halpern, clinical psychologist, advocate, and speaker specializing in trauma and recovery, will join us at our Annual Meeting, which will take place on Sunday, August 17th at 11:30 a.m. at the Boonshoft CJCE. This presentation will explore the emotional and mental health effects of antisemitism, especially when communities are told their trauma “doesn’t count.”
Then, on Monday, August 18th beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the CJCE, Dr. Bar-Halpern will present a two-hour mini workshop, which will include interactive tools for supporting both children and adults, and strategies for bridging divides across diverse communities.
Please join us for one (or both) of these important programs. I look forward to seeing you.
