Latest News from Gesher Community Care

What happened at UIC is not just a headline, it’s a reminder of what many Jewish students are still navigating in real time.

There is a specific kind of pain that occurs not from the event itself, but from the silence or skepticism that follows it. In clinical terms, we call this Traumatic Invalidation.

For many Jewish individuals, identity is not separate from mental health. Culture, tradition, family, and community shape how we process stress, trauma, resilience, and hope.

Gesher Community Care is making therapy more affordable and connecting Jewish teens and young adults with therapists who truly understand their background and lived experiences.

Your reactions make sense. Your nervous system is responding to real experiences, not overreacting.

It was an absolute privilege to join Shai Davidai on the "Here I Am" podcast to discuss a topic that is deeply personal to both of us: the mental health and resilience of the Jewish community in today’s climate.

Dr. Joshua Simmons shares a story of a patient's experience of traumatic invalidation by their therapist. A fascinating account of how this patient left therapy due to the subtle semitism experienced during sessions.

We, the Jewish people, are not defined by hardship. We are defined by our strength, creativity, and enduring spirit. The continuity of the Jewish people has always depended on our ability to grow, adapt, and build across generations. Thriving requires honoring our experiences, allowing space for healing, and transforming challenges into renewed purpose. Join Us Please join us for a hopeful and energizing conversation on Jewish resilience and post-traumatic growth. We will exp

As a Jewish woman in the diaspora, I move through daily life and avoid mentioning my Jewish identity altogether. Since October 7, that separation feels harder to maintain.

The holidays are coming up and your college student may be home for the first time since being on campus. This is a great opportunity to check in on how they are feeling about all that’s happening in the world around them

In a powerful piece for The Times of Israel, Dr. Boaz Shalgi, Chief Psychologist at NATAL, introduces the concept of “rolling trauma” — the ongoing, cumulative mental health impact of the Iran war, October 7, and the continued missile strikes on Israeli communities. Unlike a single traumatic event, rolling trauma is a snowball of repeated crises, creating long-term challenges not only for survivors but for the therapists and support teams who care for them.

Starting college is a major milestone — but for many Jewish students in 2025, it comes with unique challenges. Rising antisemitism on campus can leave students feeling isolated, silenced, or pressured to hide their identity. In a recent article for Kveller, Dr. Jessica Zmood offers five practical ways parents can prepare their children to face these realities with resilience.

We are pleased to invite our GCC therapist community to a timely and essential training led by Dr. Liya Levanda, a GCC-affiliated therapist and valued member of our Mental Health Advisory Board.

As part of our ongoing commitment to professional development and trauma-informed care, we’re excited to share two powerful learning opportunities on the horizon. While exact dates are still being finalized, we encourage our community to mark their calendars and stay tuned for more details.

Join us for our fourth introductory training cohort on Treating Antisemitism-Related Stress & Trauma in Emerging Adulthood. This live 90-minute session is designed for mental health professionals, educators, and community leaders seeking to better understand and address the psychological impact of antisemitism on young adults (ages 18–29).

On the heels of the murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky last week in DC there was another attack on the Run for Their Lives community, a grassroots movement where people have a weekly run / walk to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still in Gaza.

The interview presents a sobering look at how rising antisemitism—amplified by ideological movements and campus activism—is psychologically harming Jewish students and distorting therapy practices. In response, leaders like Shaw, Zmood, and Steinwurtzel are advancing trauma-informed, culturally competent care models to protect Jewish identity and restore psychological safety.

Gesher Campus Care was mentioned in The Free Press' article on "American Psychological Association Slammed for ‘Virulent’ Jew Hate" by Sally Satel.