For Those in Israel
Whether you live in Israel, are there for the summer, decided to stay, or recently returned home, you’re navigating a reality that others may not fully understand or appreciate. You might feel proud and connected one day, then overwhelmed or isolated the next. There’s no script for how this should look, and you’re not alone figuring it out.
What Might Be Coming Up
You might be doing okay and still feel impacted; both can be true. You don’t need to explain or defend how you’re feeling. You may experience:
A jumble of gratitude, fear, guilt, pride, and frustration.
Feeling misunderstood by peers who left or are far away.
Checking the news while trying to live your daily life.
For explaining, hosting, translating, or otherwise helping.
From feeling like you’re carrying the weight of the world.
Regularly weighing safety, meaning, and what to do.
That your summer, experience, time with your family, travel, or learning looks so different from what you’d hoped and planned.
Worry about yourself and others, including the hostages, those displaced, and those in military service.
Grounding and Support Tools
- Do a quick sensory check-in — what do you see, hear, feel? Connect with your senses in the here and now.
- Take breaks from your phone or limit notifications
- Ground yourself before and after news updates
- Practice a daily ritual: light a candle, say a blessing, or go barefoot in the grass
- Create simple routines: morning coffee, a daily walk, a steady Shabbat rhythm
- Talk to someone who understands your experience
- Let others know what’s helpful (and what’s not)
- Set clear boundaries: “I’ll check in every few days”
- Ask for help when (or before) you need it
- Set expectations that honor your capacity (and offer you flexibility)
- Rest, and go easy on yourself. These are unprecedented times.
Jewish Wisdom for The Moment
- הִנֵּֽנִי Hineini (“I’m here”) — Your presence is an act of courage and care.
- נצח Netzach (Endurance) — Continuing forward even when the path is uncertain.
- מקום Makom (Place) — One of our names for God also means “place,” reminding us that holiness exists where you are.
- חברים Chaverim (Friends) — Pirkei Avot teaches: “Find yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend.” We’re meant to live in meaningful community.
You’re Not Alone
Keep showing up however you can. Rest often. Say no when you can. You don’t have to justify your choices to your friends, your family, or even yourself. The Hillel movement is behind you.
When to Reach for Help
As circumstances shift, so can your decisions. Reach out if you’re:
- Not sleeping or eating regularly
- Feeling disconnected or withdrawn from people who care
- Heavily using substances to cope
- Experiencing panic or intrusive thoughts
- Feeling hopeless, unsafe, or unsure of what to do next
- Struggling to manage daily life
- Having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
Stay Connected
- Eran Crisis Hotline (Israel): Dial 1201
- Reach out to your Hillel staff, supervisor, or local colleagues
- Consult with Hillel International Student & Staff Wellbeing Team
- Connect with nearby therapists, campus staff, or program leaders