By Rabbi Amy B. Cohen

In 2023, the Shalom Austin community came together to celebrate many incredible accomplishments. And in times of grief, fear and pain, the community came together to support one another. Throughout all of this, one truth remained consistent, the community is strong together.

Immediately after the October 7th attacks, Shalom Austin convened many gatherings for the community. As the emotional toll of the Israeli people going to war became apparent, Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service responded.

Staff gatherings were convened throughout the week to allow Shalom Austin staff to process their fear and grief. The first communal gathering focused on emotional support occurred on October 11 and included breakout sessions for parents struggling to explain the war to their children as well as Hebrew speaking community members.

Since the first week of the war, JFS has responded to requests to create a group for Jewish therapists and to counsel staff at various Jewish organizations. JFS hosted a program in partnership with the ADL on antisemitism with break out groups focused on talking to children about antisemitism, how to navigate conversations about antisemitism with friends and a discussion about how comfortable or uncomfortable Jews feel displaying their Judaism outside our homes.

Additionally, JFS therapists have met one-on-one with community members in need of emotional support as antisemitic incidents increase and Israelis in our community process the deaths of relatives and friends, or the trauma of loved ones taken hostage.

JFS is incredibly grateful to two local Israeli therapists, who have stepped in to counsel the Israeli community. JFS Case Manager Liron Ramon has taken the lead, in partnership with Israeli-American Council, in welcoming Israeli families to Austin who have taken refuge here and ensuring they can pay for their rent, transportation and basic needs.

In every workshop and session that JFS offers, tools for dealing with fear, anxiety and grief are shared. JFS professionals also recognize the reality that war creates a much greater sense of communal pain, one that can be managed at times, but can also be overwhelming.

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service is here for the community now, during this incredibly scary time, and they are here every day. For those feeling isolated or struggling to move through a daily routine, contact JFS for support at jfs@shalomaustin.org.