In an ever-evolving world, children today are growing up amid challenges that many of us never imagined facing during our own childhoods. From rising antisemitism to the constant threat of war, it’s crucial for parents, teachers and caregivers to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate these complex realities.

On the latest episode of Hadassah On Call, Dr. Shiri Ben-David, head psychologist at the Hadassah Medical Organization, and Karen Azoulay, member of the Hadassah International Board of Directors and of Young Hadassah International, share insights from two new guidebooks, Words for Hope and Talking to Kids During Crisis, created by Hadassah International’s Young Hadassah Without Borders Program. Dr. Ben-David and Azoulay, who contributed to the guides, discuss how parents, teachers and caregivers can talk with children about war, antisemitism, violence and uncertainty in the wake of October 7, 2023, and amid rising global antisemitism.

Despite these challenges, the message from the experts is that there is hope. Dr. Ben-David and Azoulay believe in the potential of the next generation and emphasize the importance of collective effort and community support. Dr. Ben-David defines resilience as flexibility and access to internal and external resources, while highlighting the hope found in youth volunteerism and the strength young people demonstrate during times of crisis.

Through the guidebooks, informed discussions and comprehensive strategies provided by Hadassah, we can empower our children to face adversity with confidence and strength.

Further Learning:

• You download a copy of the guidebooks mentioned in this episode here: Words for Hope. Talking to Kids During Crisis

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Hadassah On Call: New Frontiers in Medicine is a production of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America. Hadassah enhances the health of people around the world through medical education, care and research innovations at the Hadassah Medical Organization. For more information on the latest advances in medicine, please head over to hadassah.org.

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