Reichman University

Honoring Ilene’s Legacy

• Ilene’s contributions spanned trauma therapy, psychodrama, movement therapy, and fostering Israel–diaspora connections.
• Her work emphasized integrative, humanistic approaches and inspired ongoing intergenerational volunteerism and professional partnerships.

The Moving Model and ABC Framework

• The Moving Model was developed to cultivate compassionate connectedness among volunteers and prevent secondary trauma.
• Components include:
  
  • Awareness: grounding in the present, recognizing personal needs and emotions
  • Balance: prioritizing self-care alongside care for others
  • Connection: fostering compassionate relationships and community ties
• The model has been adapted for diverse groups, including healthcare workers, first responders, and students, and emphasizes modular, context-sensitive workshops.

Identity, Belonging, and Intergenerational Resilience

• A strong sense of Jewish and Israeli identity, belonging, and shared history underpins resilience.
• Intergenerational transmission of values and volunteering is vital, with legacy and open family communication highlighted as key resilience factors.
• The group discussed the importance of embracing vulnerability, avoiding harmful comparisons, and making space for diverse coping mechanisms.

Coping Strategies and Compassion Fatigue

• Participants shared personal strategies for coping, including:
  
  • Engaging in meaningful activities such as activism, travel, and nature walks
  • Maintaining routines and self-care practices
  • Drawing strength from community, purpose, and shared values
• The discussion recognized the difference between self-care and deeper self-nourishment.
• Hopefulness and presence were identified as important in preventing compassion fatigue.

Trauma, Disruption, and the Role of Community

• The meeting addressed the ongoing sense of disruption from war, COVID, and existential threats sometimes referred to as “black swans.”
• Emphasis was placed on undoing aloneness, mutual support, and the ethical responsibility of self-care for caregivers.
• The importance of recognizing individual differences in trauma response was stressed.

The Hostage Crisis and Collective Grief

• The group explored why the fate of hostages in Gaza profoundly affects Israeli society:
  
  • A deep sense of mutual responsibility (arevut hadadit) rooted in Jewish tradition
  • Hostages represent collective vulnerability and shared pain
  • The issue is seen as a non-negotiable moral imperative, central to national identity and ethics

Diaspora Connections and Support

• The presence and solidarity of American Jews and other supporters were described as deeply meaningful, reinforcing feelings of family, stability, and shared fate.
• Participants expressed gratitude for international engagement and encouraged continued dialogue and support.

Conclusions and Next Steps

• The meeting closed with appreciation for shared vulnerability, mutual inspiration, and the power of community in times of crisis.
• The importance of ongoing support, both within Israel and from the global Jewish community, was reiterated.

Key Takeaway

Resilience in the face of trauma is rooted in compassionate self- and collective care, grounded identity, and the strength of intergenerational and international bonds. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for flexibility, hope, and ethical responsibility toward oneself and others.

Resources

• Zoom Presentation by Eleanor Pardess to Israel Trauma Mission 2025-06-24

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Bio

Eleanor Pardess is a clinical psychologist and certified supervisor. Her research is focused on the development of compassion and self-compassion, attachment, and burnout prevention. Her doctoral dissertation, supervised by Mario Mikulincer, detaiiled her research and development of an integrative model for preventing compassion fatigue and building resilience in therapists. She leads workshops for therapists (Moving Encounters) and is involved in numerous community projects in Israel and the United States in the field of geriatric care and promoting intergenerational family relationships. She provides therapy and supervision through her private practice in Ra’anana.