Hadassah is continuing its on-the-ground response to Israel’s war with Hamas, including this week, when three wounded patients were brought to Hadassah hospitals following a terror attack at a Jerusalem bus stop.
Seven additional patients were treated for severe psychological trauma following the attack.
“I think what happened this morning symbolizes the unique period that we are dealing with right now,” said Dr. Shiri Ben-David, chief psychologist at the Hadassah Medical Organization, during a live briefing on Thursday, November 30. “In treating people suffering from trauma, one of the main issues we address is that the trauma is over and we are safe now. During this time, we are trying to deal with people suffering from trauma from previous weeks, but still are currently in war.”
Dr. Ben-David told the stories of two patients she has treated since the war began.
One, a reserve soldier and father of three young children, was injured during combat in Gaza. While his physical condition stabilized fairly quickly, he was unable to explain his injuries and was overly irritable, crying day and night, having nightmares, and not sleeping or eating enough. “He felt a lot of blame for not going back and fighting with his friends,” Dr. Ben-David said.
After meeting with him six days in a row, his symptoms began to dramatically improve. She is still seeing him twice a week.
Another patient, a man in his 20s, was at the Tribe of Nova music festival on October 7. He and his girlfriend fled upon hearing the first sounds of shots fired, leaving their other friends behind. Though they all ultimately survived, the guilt over his decision to leave them left him unable to return to daily life. Dr. Ben-David helped him process this traumatic event and how he made the best decision he could under the circumstances. “We are working on slowly getting back to his normal activities,” she said.
Psychological needs are also acute at Hadassah’s two youth aliyah villages. “There is a lot of anxiety and a lot of emotional burden,” said Einat Reich, chair of the board of Hadassah Neurim.
Like for Mina, 14, who was visiting a friend from the youth village near Sderot for the holiday on October 7 when she was forced to shelter with two mothers, six young children and two other teens. Hearing shouts of “Allahu Akbar” coming from outside, Mina and her friends made a decision that they would protect the younger children. They held a piece of wood to block the door and stood ready with pocket knives.
Fortunately, the group was rescued, but Mina is still feeling the effects of this traumatic experience. “We’re very grateful that we have youth villages for kids because they would fall apart if they would not be able to come to us,” Reich said.
In addition to the needs of current students and staff, alumni of the villages now serving in the IDF are reaching out for support.
“We are very privileged to have such a great staff in both youth villages,” said Lapid Levi, chief financial and operating officer, Hadassah Offices in Israel. “Each of the kids and each of us has emotional luggage that we carry and the events of October 7 added very heavy things in our suitcase.”
Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow thanked supporters for helping Israel to heal and allowing Hadassah to be on the ground, in peace and in war.
“Never in 50 years has Israel needed our support more than now,” Smolow said. “You make an impact with your support. You make a difference.”