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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 is another day of pain, fear, and helplessness for their families and for all of us. This week’s Yom Kippur reflections come at a time when our community is still raw, still grappling with ongoing trauma that hasn’t found closure. Today, on World Mental Health Day, the urgency of mental health support for all of us has become more apparent than ever.
October 7th: A Trauma Still Unfolding
October 7th is not a moment in the past. It’s still happening, unfolding day by day as families wait, as a nation holds onto our breath, and hopes for news of the hostages. The uncertainty is suffocating. Many of us wake up daily with the same question: “When will this nightmare end?”
For the families of the hostages, the days were filled with worry and exhaustion. For those who survived the attacks but lost friends or family members, the pain doesn’t fade—it lingers, sometimes feeling heavier as the days pass without resolution. And for many in our community, even those who weren’t directly impacted, the emotional toll is profound. We all carry the collective weight of this trauma, and it seeps into every aspect of our lives.
The truth is, October 7th will only truly end when every single one of our hostages is safely back home. Until then, the trauma remains active and ongoing. And with it comes the need for mental health care—now more than ever.
World Mental Health Day: A Call for Urgent Action
Today, on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded of how critical it is to address mental health, especially in times of collective trauma. Mental health struggles are real, and they don’t always look the way we might expect. They can manifest in many ways—through anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, anger, or even a numbness that makes it hard to feel anything at all.
For those directly affected by the events of October 7th, the psychological toll has been immeasurable. The trauma of witnessing violence, the pain of losing loved ones, and the crushing weight of waiting for hostages to return all compound in ways that are impossible to fully grasp unless you’re living it. And while the scars may not always be visible, they run deep.
World Mental Health Day encourages us to break the silence and seek help. It’s not just about raising awareness—it’s about making sure people know they don’t have to go through their struggles alone. For anyone feeling trapped in the darkness of trauma or overwhelmed by the weight of this ongoing crisis, seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness; it’s a necessary step toward healing.
Yom Kippur: A Time for Reflection and Support
Yom Kippur is a time for deep introspection—a chance to pause, reflect, and seek forgiveness. But in light of the ongoing trauma surrounding October 7th, this year’s Yom Kippur feels different. Focusing on forgiveness and atonement is hard when so many of us are still in pain.
Yet, Yom Kippur also reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is space for healing. The story of Yonah, which was read on Yom Kippur, is particularly poignant this year. Yonah tries to run from his responsibilities, overwhelmed by fear, only to be swallowed by a whale where he’s forced to sit with his thoughts in complete darkness. For many, the aftermath of October 7th feels like being in that whale—trapped in darkness, unable to see a way forward.
But Yonah’s story doesn’t end in despair. In the depths of that darkness, he finds his way back to prayer, back to himself. He emerges with a renewed sense of purpose and strength. This message feels especially relevant now as we sit in our own collective darkness, unsure of how to move forward while waiting for our hostages to come home.
Bridging the Themes: October 7th, World Mental Health Day, and Yom Kippur
This year, the themes of October 7th, World Mental Health Day, and Yom Kippur intersect powerfully. They each remind us of the fragility of life, the importance of mental health, and the ongoing need for collective healing.
October 7th has shown us the depths of human suffering, but it has also shown us the power of resilience. As we continue to fight for the safe return of the hostages, we must also fight for the mental well-being of those who are struggling right now. World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health care is not optional—it’s a critical component of recovery for both individuals and communities.
At the same time, Yom Kippur calls on us to reflect, reach out for support, and offer forgiveness to others and ourselves. For those who are struggling with guilt, grief, or trauma, this is a moment to acknowledge that healing is a process, one that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay not to be OK. What matters is that we keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
Moving Forward: Together
As we continue to wait for the safe return of the hostages and grapple with the ongoing trauma of October 7th, we must also remember that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we come together, reach out to one another, and make mental health care a priority.
On World Mental Health Day today, let’s recommit ourselves to creating a culture of support and compassion. Let’s check in on our friends, family, and community members who might be struggling. Let’s break the stigma around mental health and make it clear that no one should have to go through this alone.
And as we reflect on Yom Kippur, let’s take the opportunity to offer ourselves the same compassion we offer others. Healing from trauma is not a linear journey. It’s filled with ups and downs, light moments, and deep darkness. But like Yonah, we can find our way back to the surface, even when it feels impossible.
October 7th isn’t over. It won’t be over until every last one of our hostages is home. But in the meantime, we can hold space for each other’s pain, offer our support, and work together to build a path toward healing. Let’s make sure that no one feels left behind in the darkness. There is hope, even when it feels far away. And together, we will find our way forward.
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