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Hadassah experts in acute trauma psychology lead a crisis intervention program for the Jewish community following the deadly terrorist attack.
Immediately after news broke of the severe tragedy in Sydney, in which 16 people were murdered and many others injured at a Hanukkah celebration, senior experts in psychology and trauma care from the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) established contact with the Forum of Jewish Therapists in Australia.
The forum was formed in response to the rise in antisemitic incidents across the country over the past two years and has sought to refine and strengthen targeted treatment for members of the Jewish community who have experienced antisemitic attacks and related trauma.
Within an hour of the attack, Hadassah’s expert team held an emergency webinar led by Dr. Amichai Ben Ari, a rehabilitation psychologist specializing in acute trauma at Hadassah, and director of the Institute for Addictions and Dual Diagnosis (ICAMH) at Hadassah and the Israeli Center for Addiction.
The webinar focused on guiding therapists on how to intervene with victims and their families during the initial phase — crisis intervention — as well as how to support second-circle victims and the broader community. During the session, a precise needs assessment was conducted, alongside an initial analysis of the immediate steps required in the early stages of response.
Subsequently, Dr. Ben Ari, who also serves in the Israel Defense Forces reserves as a combat operations commander in the Alexandroni Brigade, shared detailed guidance documents with the Forum of Jewish Therapists in Australia. These included professional guidelines for community therapists, focusing on early intervention and identification of individuals requiring acute emotional care, as well as a separate document tailored for community members.
Today, Dr. Ben Ari will conduct an online briefing for approximately 100 Australian family physicians, providing them with direction and practical tools to help their patients and communities cope with the aftermath of the attack.
The Israeli team from Hadassah also includes Dr. Shiri Ben-David, head of the Department of Psychology at Hadassah, along with additional staff members, all highly experienced in the treatment of acute trauma victims.
The team had already established an early professional infrastructure with the Jewish therapists’ forums in Sydney and Melbourne in August, when Dr. Ben-David led training sessions on trauma treatment. These sessions were based on extensive clinical experience and insights accumulated at Hadassah during the “Iron Swords” war, following the treatment of more than 1,000 trauma victims, including security personnel and civilians from southern and northern Israel.
HMO Director General Prof. Yoram Weiss, stated: “Everyone at Hadassah Medical Center, in Israel and around the world, is deeply shaken by the murderous attack that took place today, and we embrace the entire community. Hadassah’s professional teams stand ready to provide any assistance required to our brothers and sisters in the Australian community, at any time. Just as we have supported the Jewish community in Australia over the past months, now — and especially now — this is a moment for solidarity, accompaniment, and the provision of a comprehensive support framework to the fullest extent possible.”
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America also expressed shock and grief following the attack on members of the Jewish community: “Our hearts are with everyone who gathered to celebrate Hanukkah and with the entire Jewish community in Australia. We mourn yet another devastating terrorist attack directed against Jews. Hadassah Medical Center, together with Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization, Hadassah International, and in close cooperation with Hadassah Australia, is coordinating immediate support for the community that has been so severely affected.”
