I (Shmuel Sackett) have been living in Israel for 34 years and have always taken Yom Ha’Zikaron very seriously. Unlike the fun, shopping, vacation and BBQ day in America called “Memorial Day”, Yom Ha’Zikaron is a very meaningful, somber and emotional day. This year, however, there really is no more Yom Ha’Zikaron (Remembrance Day)… because it has been replaced with Sh’nat Ha’Zikaron (Remembrance Year).
The commemorations are not one day a year any more… they are every day, in every city across Israel. For 33 years I went to a Yom Ha’Zikaron ceremony and heard stories of heroism, bravery, courage and tragedy but today I hear these stories daily – in the supermarket or waiting at the doctor’s office. Think I’m exaggerating?
- My daughter is a teacher, and her principal is a very special man with a beautiful family. 4 days before Pesach, the principal’s son – a religious young man with a bright future in front of him – could not deal with PTSD from the war and tragically took his life.
- My sister had a doctor’s appointment and, as she waited, was talking to the nurse who told her about the son she lost in battle, just 4 months ago in northern Gaza.
- While on a family hike to a natural spring in the Golan Heights on Chol Ha’Moed Pesach, we met a special woman with her daughter-in-law and 3 little kids. Where’s her son, you ask? Killed in Khan Yunis over Chanukah…
- A good friend of mine – together with his brother – is building and settling a new area in the Jordan Valley. A few weeks ago, he called to invite me to see the area but had to cancel the visit because his brother fell while fighting Hamas in a terror-tunnel.
9 comments:
Hearing such tragic situations really breaks one's heart.May Hashem grant comfort to the families who have lost their loved ones.G-D Bless
I felt both of these days much differently than before. Even today, it's hard to celebrate when there is so much loss just in the last 8 months alone. I also have to ask...where is there no effective, available psychiatry in this country??? I have heard that our so-called psychologists are not trained in therapy! only in writing prescriptions! This is insane. Maybe someone reading this blog has some ideas about what is available because people should not reach the point of taking their lives.
So glad to hear from you again
I read a while back that they have a special facility treating ptsd soldiers. Where I don’t know but will put out a query.
BTW the saying goes that psychiatrists are the ones who write the RX, it’s the psychologists who talk you through things. But maybe things have changed since covid?
Correct, but the psychologists at the kupat apparently are not trained in counseling. All they can do is write a prescription. My chavruta experienced this directly. We have wonderful private psychologists, therapists, whatever we want to call them, but not everyone can afford to pay. But, for soldiers, there should be free access to the best psychologists/therapists who meet with them weekly, daily, hourly, or whatever it takes to help them rebuild their psyches.
My comment to you stated that they have a retreat for PTSD soldiers
I sent a request to a few persons.
Waiting now
Ok got one name a Absolutely. High recommendation! Dr. Jacob Freedman. They should also read my book, “Hold In.”
This is from Reb Neuberger
https://drjacoblfreedman.com/
Jacob L. Freedman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist practicing medicine in both The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and The State of Israel where he maintains a private practice in Jerusalem. He is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts Medical School, and The Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program where he was Chief Resident of Inpatient Psychiatry and the recipient of The Henry G. Altman Award for Excellence in Medical Education.
Dr. Freedman was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and has received multiple awards for medical education. He has published academic articles in journals including The American Journal of Psychiatry, The Harvard Review of Psychiatry, and The British Journal of Psychiatry. He has presented research at The American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting, given grand rounds at Harvard Medical School, and is a respected public speaker on topics spanning medicine, ethics, and Jewish thought.
Clearly, the PTSD retreat is not enough. These are great referrals. We've had so many reported suicides already; what's available seems to not be enough or is not working. And reading a book is great, but they may not be able to do that right now. I don't know what's already available, just asking. Is there an organization, a movement, something that is reaching the survivors and soldiers? Not just a retreat here and there, or pills, but true intervention? It costs money, I know. So the question is, is there an organization that is providing free access and conducting outreach to the survivors and soldiers? Is there a place they can go and stay, like a safe house for battered women, a similar concept where they have daily counseling and help to rebuild their lives?
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