This Thanksgiving we are dedicating our Giving Tuesday campaign to the Israel Trauma Coalition. Trauma can create such a lasting impact that it’s often passed down through generations. What can we in the Jewish community do to help each other heal? Especially in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the ensuing and ongoing war, it’s essential to focus on support, both in Israel and globally.

In 2001, after the second intifada, the UJA Federation of New York picked seven organizations that treated trauma and formed a cooperative under the name Israel Trauma Coalition. Talia Levanon, clinical social worker, who specializes in grief and crisis, was chosen to lead the effort and still holds the CEO position today.

The ITC is a cornerstone of Israel's national trauma care. Working with 160 local municipalities on emergency preparedness, the ITC created the model for emergency readiness with Israel’s Home Front Command, Ministry of Social Services and the National Emergency Authority. Today their trauma treatment network brings together over 40 non-governmental organizations working on trauma-related issues in Israel. The ITC runs 12 resilience centers, staffed by a range of mental health professionals as well as community activists and volunteers.

The first resilience center was created in 2007 in the Israeli communities bordering the Gaza strip, shortly after Hamas came into power and rocket attacks became a daily occurrence. The centers have been established in areas that are deemed high exposure to security threats.

In recent years, local and emergency preparedness rapidly changed due to the landscape of increasing threats and terrorist infiltrations. Leading up to October 7th, the therapists along the Gaza border were already feeling the strain of years of cross-fighting, only to be assailed by the largest and deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

Since October 7th, the ITC has treated over 15,000 people. Along with the Health Ministry and the NII, the ITC opened a national hotline, *5486. Once the evacuated communities began to reopen, so did the centers along the border. They have recruited and trained new therapists due to the high demand of the ongoing war.

The impact of October 7th is one of prolonged and collective trauma. There are the individual victims, people who were personally attacked, fought Hamas terrorists, or taken hostage and released. There are the close friends and families of the victims and those who witnessed some of the grave atrocities committed during this war. Lastly there is the global trauma of our people who are now experiencing worldwide antisemitism on levels we have not seen in decades.

To many, the idea of returning to normal life or even attempting to, feels daunting. How can we return to regular civic society when so many are suffering and still missing?

Levanon herself that said the goal of helping people post October 7th is to highlight the strength of the Israeli people over victimhood.

“We, as a nation, won’t go back to what we were on October 6. But I am optimistic in the sense that ‘resilience’ means understanding that you are vulnerable and learning to deal with it.”

At a time when the collective grief still feels so great, it’s essential we tap into the resources available to do the greatest amount of good. That is why we chose the Israel Trauma Coalition for Giving Tuesday. We hope you consider donating to this very worthy and indispensable institution.

From Sunday 12/1 thru Sunday 12/8, all contributions will be matched.