Har Nof in trauma: "The child is not eating and can't function"

Yesterday (Sunday) a conference dealing with the trauma and anxiety in children and adults was held at the Community Center in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood, operated by the Association of Community Centers. The event took place due to the horrible massacre that took place in the synagogue in the neighborhood last week, attended by about 400 parents of children who crowded the auditorium administration community, along with social workers and psychologists, who answered topical questions.

The need for the conference came after many parents whose children attend school with the children of the murdered and injured talked about change in their children's behavior as a result of anxiety, as well as the number of adults suffering from anxiety. The experts provided answers and assured those present, and gave guidance for further treatment if signs of anxiety do not lessen over time.

Ora Rosenthal, a mother of two boys who learn together with the children of the deceased and wounded, told before the conference about what she and others in the neighborhood are going through. "My younger son is in the sixth grade and oldest is in the eighth grade. This is the first time they see a funeral, they are shocked by the event and their friends have become orphans. The children of Kupinsky and Levin who study with my older son are of course in shock. My older son walked to the funeral on Mount Menuchot saw the burial and is not the same kid, he does not himself, he does not eat, is not functioning as before. Administration and volunteers greatly help and care for families, and required a lot of work with all the kids in the neighborhood, this death, the event and grief struck each one in the neighborhood, it's a united place where everyone is friends and I see what it does to adults, it is impossible to imagine what it does to the children who see three funeral's in one day.

Aviad Friedman, chairman of the Association of Community Centers, praised the performance of the Community Council in Har Nof, and its director, Uriel Elbaz, and the community that supports and assists during the crisis. "I am thrilled by the way Har Nof community is dealing with the terrible tragedy. Jerusalem neighborhood administrations have repeatedly demonstrated the soundness of the communities, the spirit of volunteerism and mutual responsibility."

The conference was held in cooperation with the Center for Trauma, Department of Psychology at Bar Ilan University, Ezer MeZion and community centers. Rabbi Hanania Tzulk, chairman of Ezer MeZion, Dr. David Ben-David psychiatrist to deal with the stress of children and youth and Professor Tuvia Perry, Department of Psychology clinic of Bar-Ilan University also participated.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!