Stuart Katz

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Mar 13, 2025, 3:55 PM

The Hidden Pain of Purim—It’s Time to See It

I have been to too many funerals. Too many lives cut short. Too many families shattered by the unbearable pain of losing a loved one to suicide. Since October 7th, that pain has only grown. The losses have become...

Feb 11, 2025, 6:17 PM

Our Government Ignored the Mental Health Crisis. Now It’s Costing Millions.

The State Comptroller’s report, released today, confirms what many of us have feared: Israel’s mental health system collapsed after October 7, and the government failed to prepare for the psychological toll of war. Three million Israelis are now at risk...

Jan 15, 2025, 7:50 AM

Empathy in Leadership: A Demand for Immediate Change in the Knesset

The events of October 7, 2023, have left deep scars on Israeli society. The pain of families whose loved ones were abducted by Hamas is immeasurable, and their voices must be met with empathy, understanding, and decisive action—not hostility...

Jan 1, 2025, 10:49 PM

Flying High and Gouged: The EL AL Experience in Wartime

Introduction: Welcome Aboard, Your Wallet’s in Danger! When you think about flying to Israel, your mind probably conjures up an image of soaring through the skies in comfort and safety, gliding towards the Holy Land with a smile and a...

Nov 3, 2024, 6:22 PM

Living With Israel’s Trauma: A Zionist Immigrant’s Journey of Love

I was raised on Zionism, or maybe it’s more accurate to say I drank the Zionist Kool-Aid—the big gulp doses served up by Bnei Akiva and other Zionist youth groups, especially during those lonely high school years away in...

Nov 3, 2024, 12:19 AM

My Heart Beats with the Pulse of This Country—And for Those Beyond Our Borders

I am Israeli. My heart beats with the pulse of this country. It beats not only in times of crisis, during the war, but every day. I feel it in every triumph and heartbreak, the laughter of children playing...

Oct 22, 2024, 3:37 PM

How to Celebrate Simchat Torah This Year: Honoring Our Paths in Trying Times

As we approach Simchat Torah this year, it’s impossible to ignore the profound weight of the past year. October 7, 2023, which fell on Simchat Torah, the joy that usually fills our synagogues and streets was replaced with unimaginable...

Oct 21, 2024, 11:39 AM

No One Left Behind: Urgent Need for Mental Health Action in Israel

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Yesterday, we were heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Shirel Golan z”l, a 22-year-old survivor of the October 7th Nova music festival massacre. Shirel, who endured unimaginable trauma on that terrible day, succumbed to her emotional wounds...

Oct 20, 2024, 5:01 PM

Between Joy and Sorrow: Finding Meaning One Year After The Black Shabbat

This past Shabbat, we read Kohelet, a text known for its deep reflections on the complexities of life—on joy and sorrow, purpose and futility. This year, Kohelet’s words resonated with a particular intensity as we marked the first anniversary...

Oct 11, 2024, 5:17 PM

Surviving the Darkness: Suicidal Thoughts, Trauma, and Hope After October 7th

This week, we marked the first anniversary of the October 7th atrocities, a day that shook our souls to their core. It was a day of unimaginable horror, and now, as we enter Yom Kippur, we are reminded once...

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About Me

Stuart Katz, PsyD, MPH, MBA, is a co-founder of the Nafshenu Alenu mental health educational initiative, launched in 2022. With his extensive academic background, including a doctorate in psychology, a master's in public health, and an MBA, Stuart brings a unique, multidisciplinary perspective to his work in mental health advocacy. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors at McLean Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and holds several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board of OGEN – Advancement of Mental Health Awareness in Israel and Mental Health First Aid Israel. Stuart is also a key partner in the "Deconstructing Stigma" campaign in Israel. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Religious Conference Management Association and has provided counseling to over 7,000 individuals and families in crisis worldwide.

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