Our Mission
As Jewish mental health professionals, students, and allies deeply committed to Israel and its healing, we gathered in Jerusalem in June 2025 for a trauma mission sponsored by the American Jewish Medical Association. Although only a few members of our cohort were able to arrive before Israeli airspace was closed in anticipation of missile strikes from Iran, our entire group remained steadfast in its commitment—to the mission itself, and to amplifying our learning for the benefit of others.
Our program closely mirrored the original agenda lovingly crafted by Ilene Serlin z”l before her sudden passing in November 2024. It featured presentations and discussions with renowned Israeli trauma therapists and pioneering Jewish leaders, all applying innovative healing approaches grounded in Israeli culture—whose resilience and creativity offer a powerful context for addressing trauma amid profound and sustained challenges.
Speakers & Presentations
Meet the leaders and healers whose efforts embody the heart of our mission—by shaping transformative, multi-layered initiatives rooted in Israeli culture, inspired by Jewish values, and dedicated to collective healing.
About Us
Our journey: who we are, and what we experienced in Israel—before, during, and after our mission
From Michelle Stravitz, CEO of AJMA, our mission sponsor:
“The AJMA seeks to be a sheltering, empowering community for Jewish healthcare professionals. We were born in response to hostility and exclusion—attacks from our professional neighbors that left many feeling isolated or unprotected. Just as the safe room enabled Israelis to carry on with life despite surrounding threats, our work at AJMA creates a stronghold of connection, resources, and resilience for Jewish professionals navigating a complex world.”