Feb 22, 2024

Spiritual Care For Israelis in the Aftermath of 10/7

After surviving the horrific October 7 attack on Ofakim, Dudu and his mother, Esther, received much-needed spiritual support through Federation beneficiary The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), a beneficiary of Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund (IEF). “My mother had not stopped shaking and rocking her body back and forth for days after that Shabbat,” said Dudu. But after receiving counseling through IMPJ, he and Esther found comfort and were able to grieve the friends they had lost. IMPJ is one of seven IEF-funded organizations across the religious spectrum that address the widespread grief and trauma Israelis have been grappling with since the war with Hamas began. IEF grants also allow Israelis to access pastoral guidance regarding mourning and bereavement, religious observance during wartime, ethical dilemmas and more. To date, support from the Jewish Federations of North America's IEF has assisted more than 1,200 families — of both civilians and soldiers — in mourning. “It has been such a comfort to know there is someone I can really speak to,” said Dudu, “and a place that is safe, where we and our community can heal.”