Stuart Katz

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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...

Oct 10, 2024, 8:02 PM

The Journey Continues: The Week We Fight for Healing

This week, we’re not just remembering October 7th; we’re still living it. The trauma of that day hasn’t ended—it can’t end while so many of our loved ones remain hostages, their fates unknown. Every day that they aren’t home...

Oct 5, 2024, 9:41 PM

A New Year of Resilience and Renewal: Facing the Future Together

As we stand at the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, we carry with us the memory of a year marked by profound challenges. This past year has tested us with moments of pain and uncertainty that sometimes felt overwhelming. And...

Oct 5, 2024, 7:55 PM

Reflections on Parshat Ha’azinu: The Message I Needed This Year

This past Shabbat, we read Parshat Ha’azinu, one of the most powerful and poetic sections of the Torah. It’s not just a parsha, it’s a song—a vivid and emotional recounting of our history as a people. It reminds us...

Sep 29, 2024, 11:51 AM

A Time for Gratitude, Not Celebration

A Time for Gratitude, Not Celebration: Standing Together for the Release of Our Hostages, Supporting Those in Emotional Captivity, and Praying for Global Peace The recent assassination of Hezbollah terror leader Hassan Nasrallah represents a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing...

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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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