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Healing Week

Detroit Jewish
community gives Israeli
soldiers Peace of Mind.

Zieva Konvisser and
Bobbie Lewis
Special to the Jewish News

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one-week trip to Detroit that
started April 29 helped 13
former Israeli soldiers, who
served together in a combat unit, rein-
tegrate into civilian life. Peace of Mind,
a program of the Israel Center for the
Treatment of Psychotrauma (ICTP) in
Jerusalem, was hosted by Congregation
Beth Shalom of Oak Park.
In Detroit, the soldiers engaged in
intense daily group sessions with three
therapists who came with them from
Israel. The sessions helped them to
process their combat experiences and
learn coping tools to help make their
transition to civilian life smoother and
easier. They also enjoyed sightseeing
and activities with their host families,
students and community volunteers.
The week enabled the soldiers to
process their most difficult experi-
ences and emotions in a safe, welcom-
ing environment away from their
usual routines and distractions. A
soldier said, "We were able to focus on
important issues that have burdened
us since our military service. We don't
want to have to carry these burdens for
another 30 years?'
Another soldier said, "We were over-
whelmed by the amassed support of
the Jewish community and the people
committed to this cause. This dedica-
tion turned out to be an integral part
of our healing process?'
The group also learned about
American Jewish identity and the
importance of Israel to American Jews.
One soldier was surprised that many
people thanked them for their service.
"No one in Israel tells us that:' he said.
The Peace of Mind experience began
in Israel with a daylong workshop six
weeks before the Detroit visit. The
group will reunite in Israel in June for
a final day of workshops to continue to
explore "the positive effects of the proj-
ect."Additional treatment is available
for those still in need.
Further donations are needed to
cover the costs of the program. Checks
can be made out to American Friends
of Herzog Hospital/ICTP/P0M-Detroit
and mailed to Congregation Beth
Shalom, 14601 W Lincoln Road, Oak
Park, MI, 48237.

❑

Zieva Konvisser is a Beth Shalom

congregant and ICTP board member;

Bobbie Lewis is a Beth Shalom board

member.

16

May 31 • 2012