Two Years Since October 7, We Must Not Turn Away – Guest Commentary

Massive trauma has shifted from being an exception to a current reality. Two years after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel continues to deal with deepening wounds amidst ongoing conflict. The horrors of that day—families torn apart, communities devastated—resonate throughout Israeli society. In many senses, Israel stands as a nation of trauma survivors.

This is something I can relate to personally. As the executive director of One Family, an organization founded on compassion born from fear, I’ve seen the impact of trauma firsthand. One Family began over 20 years ago when terrorists detonated a bomb at a bustling family restaurant in Jerusalem. Mikal Beltzberg, daughter of Mark and Chantal Beltzberg from Riverdale, New York, dedicated her bat mitzvah to the victims, prioritizing their suffering over her own. By visiting the injured and comforting grieving families, she transformed personal milestones into acts of public compassion, which ultimately became the essence of One Family.

4,000 new bereaved families

Since the events of October 7th, the demand for support has skyrocketed. Over 4,000 additional bereaved and injured families have sought assistance, joining the thousands already cared for by One Family. To address this overwhelming need, the organization has expanded its operations significantly, offering counseling, financial aid, legal assistance, and other vital support. One Family has become known as the country’s “emotional iron dome,” a term reflecting its critical role in providing aid to victims of terrorism.

Walking by the survivors

From the outset, One Family has embraced a straightforward but profound principle: when someone’s world falls apart, you don’t turn a blind eye. You step in. You stand by them. It’s about sharing the burden of their pain rather than trying to erase it. For more than two decades, One Family has walked alongside victims of Israel’s fears and warfare, supporting thousands of families, including widows, orphans, siblings, and wounded soldiers. Each trauma impacts lives far beyond the immediate moment, reshaping relationships, identities, and futures.

Our approach is holistic; we don’t just focus on the most obvious needs. We consider the entire family—moms grieving, teenage sons, grandparents—each with unique requirements. We provide “professional friends” rather than impersonal bureaucrats, prioritizing empathy and active listening. Some families may need our support for months, others for years.

Community as a healing

As trust develops, survivors become part of a community bonded by shared grief. In these groups, no one needs to explain their pain; understanding exists even in silence. This is where genuine healing starts—not in solitude but within a community. We also take victims to therapeutic retreats in Israel and abroad. In the last 18 months, more than 1,700 survivors have united in healing together in destinations like Sri Lanka and Bulgaria. These retreats serve as reminders that healing is not only attainable but needs ongoing effort.

Call on October 7th

The second anniversary on October 7th brings the urge to reflect on the past. Yet for those who survived, October 7th is not merely historical. Every single day, parents mourn their lost children. Kids still contend with nightmares. Widows continue to raise toddlers alone. The lessons from One Family resonate strongly: compassion can’t be fleeting; it requires long-term commitment. Trauma persists, and our solidarity remains essential. The world mustn’t look away. Not now. Not ever.

For more information about the family, please visit OneFamilyFundus.org.

Founded in 2001 by Marc and Chantal Belzberg, One Family is Israel’s leading nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by terrorism. Through a range of services, it offers emotional, financial, and legal support to help individuals and families rebuild their lives post-tragedy.