Last year, Oct. 7 was the day when Hamas invaded Israel with all the horrendous traumatic consequences. It was the Jewish Sabbath, the holiday of Simchat Torah, and on the previous calendar day of Oct. 6, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur in 1973.
- Community reflection
This year, Oct. 7 will be right in the middle of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Anniversaries and related connections are always meaningful to psychiatrists. How, then, do we want to recognize the religious, spiritual, mystical, and psychological implications of a year from Oct. 7 to Oct. 7?
I prescribe personal and/or community reflection on Oct. 7 during our High Holy Days!
- Find strength
Regardless of what happens in the Israel/Hamas war between the publication of this article and our High Holy Days, there are ways to mentally help cope with what has been going on through the year. Locally, there were two events where I was privileged to meet with community members to process how we were coping, one with the JCC’s Men’s Club and the other at Congregation Shalom.
Interest and attendance were strong. Among the common responses rippling out from the Israel trauma were: a fear for our Jewish future; rage at Hamas; survivor’s guilt; and compassion for innocent Palestinians, especially children. We learned from each other, including the need to grieve and personally do what we can for a better future.
I recently saw the movie, “Inside Out 2,” and wrote a review for Psychiatric Times. Though especially designed for teenagers, it portrays so well how and when we can get overwhelmed emotionally, especially with anxiety for the future. Further, it shows how processing and integrating our emotions gets us back to some joy.
I prescribe chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik: May we be strong and find ways to strengthen one another.
- More guilt
However, I noticed an interesting omission in “Inside Out 2.” It seemed like the emotion of guilt was missing in action. Guilt, of course, has been an important installation by Jewish mothers in their children. However, it seems to be applied less in our current generation of parenting.
In our current presidential nomination process and related political events, guilt seems absent too. It is absent in such psychiatric disorders as sociopathy and malignant narcissism. However, appropriate guilt is a cornerstone for moral behavior.
I prescribe more guilt inducing in child development.
- Diaspora-Israel cooperation
Israel reacted with its military might, but admitted that it was caught off guard, possibly from internal political conflict and hubris. Mental guilt and practical guilt for the invasion awaits future processing. Never Again became Now, with the simultaneous goals of bringing home the hostages and eliminating Hamas. As it is turning out, both may be more optimistic than realistic.
Outside of Israel, in the U.S. and elsewhere, pro-Palestinian protests have become frightening and dangerous, especially for Jewish college students. There has been some participation in them by Jews for Peace. Solidarity opportunities have been enthusiastically embraced locally and nationally by our Jewish community leadership.
Internal divisiveness had something to do with the invasion and will have something to do with the resolution. Too much of it leaves us more vulnerable to being divided and conquered. We are known for our divergent opinions, but it is especially important now to be flexible and agreeable. This is the first time in history that the Jewish people have both a strong Diaspora and a strong Israel simultaneously. Let’s not lose this unique opportunity.
I prescribe the priority of Jewish cooperation between the strong diaspora and strong Israel.
- Don’t assume
We are unfortunately reminded once again that antisemitism is nowhere near gone. After editing the book “Anti-Semitism and Psychiatry,” published in 2020, I concluded that we need new innovative strategies, including medicalizing antisemitism as a social psychopathology that needs new research. All our prior strategies have been useful, but insufficient. Human nature includes the hard-wiring fear and mistrust of the other, and we have long been the religious other.
I prescribe to never again assume that antisemitism is gone.
- Realistic hope
Many historical matters can provide realistic optimism. We have a peace treaty with Egypt, where antisemitism began. Who would have imagined that Germany would become Israel’s friend and supporter? There has never been antisemitism in Hindu India, and we have overlapping cultural values and success in America, making them an ideal ally to further develop. Is it possible that other countries in the Mideast will become allies?
I prescribe realistic hope for our future in the Middle East.
- Mental health
The immediate future, however, is likely to be fraught with the remnants of our extreme trauma and losses. I understand that mental health resources in Israel are being overwhelmed, in part because the caregivers have also been traumatized.
New post-traumatic stress disorders can be delayed months and years from becoming overt. Grief can turn into what we now call Prolonged Grief Disorder without adequate resolution.
Our history of intermittent major traumas should actually give us some realistic hope. We have become resilient and creatively adaptable. However, even so, we collectively must include addressing the intergenerational transmission of past trauma. That will require a concerted effort and program development to stop that cycle.
I prescribe more funds for ongoing mental healthcare and training of clinicians.
Our High Holy Days are a time for soul searching with the intent of self and community improvement. May these seven prescriptions be of some use in moving forward from this landmark year.
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