ICAR Collective

As the conflict in Israel continues, we often focus on the soldiers at the frontlines and the direct victims of violence. But what about the hidden heroes – the children of soldiers on active duty? These children face unique challenges: ❗ Persistent anxiety and fear around the safety of their parent ❗ Emotional burdens related to long absences and uncertainty ❗ Older children taking on responsibilities beyond what is normally expected for their age ❗ Young kids struggling with sleep & nightmares, and experiencing trust issues Supporting parents and caregivers is critical to helping these children build resilience. Strengthening their environment can make all the difference during these difficult times. Social initiatives are stepping up to provide much-needed relief and connection. 💡 It’s time to shed light on these hidden heroes and offer them the support they deserve. Thanks to Farrah Dobuler, Esther Marcus, Nadav Perets and Prof. Eva Gilboa-Schechtman for their insights and contributions. Explore their challenges and what we can do to help. https://lnkd.in/d3xHwsef (English) https://lnkd.in/dnP9Rmaw (Hebrew) #MentalHealth #Resilience #Israel #SupportFamilies #HiddenHeroes Daniel Goldman Hannan Lis Eyal Fruchter Roy Peled Yonit Levanon Lisa Silverman

We're excited to introduce you to the incredible team behind our mission! This week, we’re spotlighting Lisa Silverman, one of ICAR’s Co-Founders and our Director of Advancement. Lisa joins ICAR after having successfully managed teams and partnered with philanthropists to raise over $1.5 billion for healthcare, education and social services in Israel and the US. She is passionate about enabling non-profits both to serve society and empower the less fortunate. Here are a few things to know about Lisa: 📌 She’s lived in Kishinev, Jerusalem, Tucson and New York, and she currently calls Modi’in her home. 📌 She started her career in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, where at the beginning of a year teaching and creating programming for the Jewish community, she and her colleagues were rescued by their JDC (The Joint), Jewish Agency, and Jewish Federation sponsors after being deported by former KGB agents. 📌 She serves on the board of Amal-Tikva, a peace field building organization based in Jerusalem. 📌 When not focused on ICAR, Lisa does Pilates, cooks for family and friends, delights in Palmachim’s waves, reads historical fiction and explores Israel with her husband and four kids.  In her own words: “Co-founding ICAR seems “bashert” to me. It's an incredible opportunity to apply my skills and experience to build relationships and fuel this critical trauma healing trajectory for Israel and for the world." Watch this space for more stories and fun facts about the rest of our amazing team!

In a deeply personal post, ICAR Collective's Executive Director, Gila Tolub, reflects on the 18 years that have passed since losing her best friend, Flora Golding, in a tragic car accident. Her post explores the reality of complicated grief—the kind that lingers far beyond societal expectations—and sheds light on the concept of invisible grief, which challenges norms about who "gets" to grieve and for how long. She shares her journey of processing loss, navigating the isolation of grief that others struggled to understand, and finding personal growth amid pain. Through her story, she emphasizes the importance of community support, compassion, and normalizing mental health conversations—a mission she now furthers through her work at ICAR Collective. This blog is a message to anyone who has ever felt isolated by grief. You are not alone. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dittQ5SY (English) https://lnkd.in/d2kFr7BM (Hebrew) #MentalHealth #Grief #Loss #ComplicatedGrief #InvisibleGrief #TraumaHealing Daniel Goldman Hannan Lis Talma Cohen Eyal Fruchter Lisa Silverman Roy Peled Yonit Levanon

As we celebrate the High Holidays of Tishri, we thought it was a meaningful time to reflect on the role of #rabbis in mental health. Rabbis are more than spiritual leaders—they are trusted figures who foster resilience and offer emotional support within their communities. Their ability to normalize mental health challenges and reduce #stigma is crucial in creating environments where everyone feels seen and valued. Through Maaglei Nefesh, rabbis are being equipped with the tools to navigate the complexities of mental health—balancing spiritual guidance with practical support, collaborating with mental health professionals, and ensuring no one walks their mental health journey alone. “Sometimes,” as Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig shares, “the most important part of helping someone through a mental health challenge is simply making them feel seen and heard.” With programs expanding across the U.S., UK, and Australia, Maaglei Nefesh is reshaping how mental health is integrated into Jewish community life—ensuring that people feel supported not just during the holidays, but all year long. Read the blog to learn more about this important work. https://lnkd.in/dak8HAdr (English) https://lnkd.in/dh8cys3F (Hebrew) #Spirituality #Community #TraumaHealing #Israel #MentalHealth Daniel Goldman Lisa Silverman Roy Peled Yonit Levanon Eyal Fruchter Gila Tolub

A recent study by the Taub Center מרכז טאוב in Israel highlights how the ongoing conflict is taking a toll on young children and their parents. Not surprisingly, the findings show that exposure to violence and constant insecurity is increasing stress and anxiety in children, impacting their emotional and cognitive development. At the same time, parents are juggling their own trauma with the difficult task of creating a sense of safety for their kids. The study points to the lasting effects on family dynamics and the urgent need for support systems. For a summary of the study in English, check out our blog that dives into the emotional strain on parents, the impact on children, and how different ethnic groups are affected, along with practical recommendations for policy changes and support initiatives. https://lnkd.in/dyqiup3X To learn more and to read the full report (in Hebrew), click here: https://lnkd.in/dBWZzk6P #HealingTrauma #Trauma #TraumaHealing #Israel #ICAR #MentalHealthAwareness Linoy Frankiensztajn Hannan Lis Talma Cohen Daniel Goldman Roy Peled Lisa Silverman Eyal Fruchter Yonit Levanon Michal Ben-Dov Nir Kaidar

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety. In Israel, the prevalence rate of PTSD is around 9%, significantly higher than in the U.S. and other OECD countries—2-3 times more, to be exact. The tragic events of October 7th have only amplified this issue, highlighting just how critical it is to raise awareness and provide the right support. How we respond to trauma varies, shaped by factors like our biology, personal history, the severity of the trauma itself, and the support systems around us. Treatments, when done right, focus on reducing symptoms and building coping skills, so individuals can regain their sense of control and self-worth. With the expected rise in PTSD cases, it’s essential for everyone to be informed about the evidence-based tools and treatments available to support those affected. There’s a lot of work ahead, and now more than ever, we need to be ready to stand by those who need it most. Read our blog to learn more about them: https://lnkd.in/esAdDa9y Let’s continue to foster understanding and resilience in our communities. 💙   #MentalHealth #PTSD #TraumaSupport #TraumaHealth #Community

It seems both special and strangely tragic that October 7th and October 10th fall so close together. It's as if fate is reminding us that while survival is possible, the hardest challenge ahead will be overcoming the trauma. Just over a year has passed since that dark day, and many are still grappling with the ongoing war and its impact. Many soldiers and reservists remain on the front lines and those who have returned are changed by what they've experienced. Parents are left to manage home, children, and work alone as their partners serve. Even for those in quieter areas, life feels far from "normal." Sirens disrupt daily routines, and our children are plagued by nightmares and fears they struggle to articulate. In our own small team at ICAR Collective, one person has been on reserve duty; another lives on a kibbutz where there’s no shelter in the daycare facility, so when the threat level rises, children are sent home; and another is forced to cope with daily alarms in the north.    Amidst all of this, work goes on. But how? How can we be expected to show up and give our best when our minds and hearts are elsewhere? This is the question every employer should be asking. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” We are sharing here a few ways employers can help their teams in the current situation. Post is available in English https://lnkd.in/dT2FJBYB And in Hebrew https://lnkd.in/dFFnHCaa Gila Tolub Eyal Fruchter Lisa Silverman Roy Peled Hannan Lis Daniel Goldman

יש מקום אחד שממחיש באמת את העמידות והתקווה דרך כוחו של הסיפור: מרכז פרס לשלום ולחדשנות ביפו. התערוכה הנוכחית, "סיפור של עמידות ותקווה", מאת הצלם זיו קורן, מציגה מבט נוגע ללב על האירועים הטראומטיים שהתרחשו ב-7 באוקטובר ועל הכוח של אלה ששרדו אותם. התערוכה, רווית הרגש, אינה מוצגת לפי סדר כרונולוגי רגיל אלא באמצעות נושאים, ומתמקדת במסעות אישיים וקולקטיביים של הישרדות וריפוי. אחד הסיפורים המצמררים ביותר הוא של זוג צעיר ששרד את הזוועות בפסטיבל המוזיקה נובה. בניגוד לכל הסיכויים, הם נמצאים כעת במסלול להחלמה, כאשר זיו מחויב לצלם את יום חתונתם – עדות לרוח האנושית הבלתי נכנעת. אומרים שתמונה שווה אלף מילים, והתערוכה הזו מהווה תזכורת עוצמתית לעמידות הפנימית שלנו. היכנסו לבלוג שלנו לפרטים נוספים, ואל תפספסו את ההזדמנות לחזות בתקווה שממשיכה לפרוח, גם אל מול מציאות קשה ביותר. https://lnkd.in/ddk5UM4H Roy Peled Eyal Fruchter Daniel Goldman Hannan Lis Talma Cohen Yonit Levanon #עמידות #7באוקטובר #סיפורי_הישרדות #ריפוי_מטראומה #טראומה

One place that truly captures resilience and hope through the power of storytelling is the The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa. The current exhibition, A Story of Resilience and Hope, by photographer Ziv Koren, offers a deeply moving look into the traumatic events of October 7 and the strength of those who lived through them. This emotionally charged exhibition isn’t arranged in a typical timeline but rather through themes, showcasing both personal and collective journeys of survival and healing. One of the most heart-wrenching stories is that of a young couple who survived the horrors of the Nova music festival. Defying all odds, they are now on the path to recovery, with Ziv committed to photographing their wedding day—a testament to the unbreakable human spirit. It’s true what they say—a picture is worth a thousand words. This exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience within each of us. Check out our blog for more details, and don’t miss this chance to witness the hope that continues to thrive, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. https://lnkd.in/dpbUCviF #Resilience #October7 #StoriesOfSurvival #HealingTrauma #Trauma Roy Peled Lisa Silverman Eyal Fruchter Daniel Goldman Hannan Lis

As we mark the anniversary of October 7th, we think of those we lost, those who survived but lost a part of themselves, the hostages still trapped in the tunnels of Gaza, and our soldiers who remain in harm's way. An anniversary is also a time to reflect on what has remained the same and what has changed. Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced unimaginable challenges and each time, we have rebuilt, stood together, and found strength in one another. This past year, we’ve grappled with the loss of safety, gained a deeper understanding of collective trauma, and found profound appreciation for the bravery of our soldiers and allies. Despite the grief and uncertainty, one thing remains constant: our resilience. Even in the darkest times, we find light, joy, and the determination to move forward. We invite you to read our reflection on this anniversary. https://lnkd.in/dTsPiJTF Eyal Fruchter Lisa Silverman Roy Peled Yonit Levanon Daniel Goldman Hannan Lis Talma Cohen