Nine months since the war began in Gaza with no end in sight and the possibility of a second front in Lebanon ever more likely, Israelis are finding individual and collective ways of coping.
The Magazine quoted by the Jerusalem Post interviewed parents of soldiers, those engaged in the war effort, psychologists, and others.
“I am not directly impacted by any of the challenges that so many Israelis are facing on a daily basis,” Rivkah Lambert Adler, an American Israeli author and freelance journalist.
“I thank God for all the blessings I have and all the ways I have been protected since Oct. 7,” Lambert says.
“I learned from my husband to look into the eyes of the fallen soldiers in the photos the media releases and ask God to reward their souls,” she added.
A mother of a soldier says she studies Torah, reads tehillim and prays daily for the return of hostages and the safety of the soldiers and the People of Israel.
There is no single method of coping that is good for everyone. For instance, some people say they don’t feel comfortable listening to music or going to movies, whereas others feel these forms of entertainment are needed relief.
Psychologist Jackie Weinberg notes that Israelis have made the transition from fear to resilience.
“On Oct. 7, I saw people who were anxious and had fear,” Dr. Weinberg observed.
“Today, I think … people have amazing resilience in this country. It’s unbelievable. The war is going on right now, up north and down south … People go to the movies, plays, and restaurants,” Dr. Weinberg added.
“Each person is trying to deal with the situation in the best way he or she can. People learn to adjust and cope with stress. We all have our coping mechanisms. Most [pivotal], in my opinion, is good social support,” said Dr. Weinberg
