This Pesach, my heart wrestles with survivor’s guilt as I navigate the dichotomy of celebrating freedom while knowing so many still suffer. Survivor’s guilt, a term that sounds so clinical for an emotion that is deeply personal and raw, creeps into my thoughts as I visit each affected site and meet with survivors. Why was […]
Read More… from Pesach Amidst Pain: A Personal Journey Through Our Struggle for Freedom
The recent escalation of tensions between Israel and its adversaries, namely Iran and its proxies, has undoubtedly taken a toll on the mental well-being of the Israeli people as well as those aligned with Israel around the world. As we navigate this volatile and uncertain landscape, we must prioritize our mental health and find ways […]
Read More… from Staying Strong Amidst the Storm: Prioritizing Mental Health in Times of Conflict
The ongoing and escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis acting as Iranian proxies, has created a tense and uncertain geopolitical landscape that can be deeply unsettling for many people. Tensions have escalated in recent months, with fears of a potential large-scale military confrontation looming. However, the regional landscape has […]
Read More… from Navigating the Uncertainty: Coping with Anxiety during the Conflict
Introduction: The ongoing war in Israel, launched by the shocking terror events of October 7th, has given rise to a paradoxical scenario. As the region contends with the aftermath of these traumatic events and a continuous war, there’s been an unforeseen influx of tourists. This wave of visitors, numbering in the tens of thousands, appears […]
Read More… from Crossing The T’s – Tourism, Terrorism and Trauma
Introduction: Judgment and the High Holidays – A Time for Self-Reflection As we edge closer to the ימים נוראים, we come face-to-face with the concept of divine judgment. It’s a time when many of us grapple with our actions, choices, and shortcomings over the past year. This season doesn’t merely serve as a spiritual inventory; […]
Read More… from What’s Wrong with Being a Bit Judgy? Understanding Judgment in the High Holidays
Intro Do you ever feel like you’re constantly scrambling for approval from the people around you or even from the universe itself? Yeah, me too. Today, I’ve been thinking a lot about “Rachamim,” Hebrew for divine mercy. You know that phrase we say, “כי אם לך ה’ חסד” (But Yours, O Lord, is the kindness). […]
Read More… from Who’s Got Mercy? Dealing with the Rachamim Conundrum
As we’re gearing up for Rosh Hashanah, I know some of us feel a bit weighed down. Yeah, I get it; it’s been a challenging year and many of us may wonder if it will ever get easier. You open the Machzor and come across that word “יסורין,” which talks about suffering for sins, and […]
Read More… from Suffering for Sins? Is Today Just a Regular Friday?
Arrival and Unexpected Hurdles When my flight touched down in Casablanca, the emotions that surged through me were indescribable. Here I was, thousands of miles away from home, with a mission fueled by compassion and a promise to alleviate some of the hardships faced by the victims of the recent earthquake. Little did I know […]
Read More… from Day 1 in Morocco: A Mixed Bag of Triumphs and Trials
Day 2 in Morocco: Witnessing the Aftermath of an Earthquake and the Resilience of the Human Spirit The second day of our earthquake recovery mission in Morocco was a profoundly moving experience. As we journeyed through the Atlas Mountains, we visited villages heavily affected by the recent earthquake. While our main goal was to offer […]
Read More… from Day 2 in Morocco: Aftermath of an Earthquake and the Resilience of the Human Spirit
Opening Thoughts It’s Day 3 here in Morocco, and today’s narrative focuses on mental health first aid. Any crisis’s emotional toll on its community is immediate and long-lasting. So, today was all about equipping those who can make a difference with the tools they need and, just as importantly, discussing self-care for those who spend […]
Read More… from Day 3 in Morocco: A Deep Dive into Mental Health First Aid and Self-Care