When Moriah Congregation Board Member Zeke Fraint learned about a chance for the synagogue to host a unit of Israeli soldiers for a unique therapeutic intervention, he jumped at the opportunity.
"These guys have gone through incredible things," he said. "This is a real, tangible thing we can do."
In late March, Fraint and a group of Moriah families welcomed 22 veterans and two therapists for a week-long stay through Peace of Mind, a program of Metiv Israel Psychotrauma Center in Jerusalem.
For the last 18 years, Peace of Mind has sent more than 3,500 veterans to communities worldwide, giving them the time and space to process their combat experience.
The unit that visited Chicago joined a waiting list for this mental health support in 2019 after completing their mandatory service. "Back then we didn't have much to talk about," said IDF veteran Daniel, 27.
Everything changed on October 7th. Daniel's unit received a call to duty by noon that day. After weeks of training and waiting for orders, they entered Gaza as the first foot soldiers in the region.
Just one day earlier, Daniel learned his second child was on the way. "It didn't help with the stress of going into a war zone," he shared.
They spent 55 days in Gaza, and lost two team members when Hamas attacked their base.
When they recently received a chance to participate in Peace of Mind, "the whole team was like,
we need it
," Daniel said. In fact, he'd suffered from combat shock and struggled to perform as needed in the immediate aftermath of the battle with Hamas.
During their visit to the Chicago area, they spent the days in the library at the Deerfield synagogue engaging in intensive group therapy.
"The guys really wanted to be part of this journey to clear their minds and clear their thoughts and try to build a connection with each other to tell their story about the war," said Ziv, one of the two therapists who traveled with the group.
"The team opened up in a way I couldn't imagine," Daniel said. "Emotions were bursting out like a volcano."
Evenings were reserved for community fun and connection, including dinners for the visitors and host families, a trip to a Bulls game, and a basketball game between the soldiers and the students at Rochelle Zelle Jewish High School.
Time spent at host homes fostered bonds that touched everyone.
"One of the best parts of the week was coming down to breakfast and all sitting around the table together," said host Meredith Kirshenbaum. "It was really nice to have this comfortable, almost family-like life with these two soldiers."
"They seamlessly fit in because even though we live so far away, we share so many values around Judaism and the importance of Israel," explained Eric Kirshenbaum, Meredith's husband.
The couple have instilled their love of Israel in their four children and saw the visit as a chance to make the abstract real.
"You see who these people are. You see their losses, you feel their losses. This guy in front of me is heroic, and he is the soldier that's helping us. It was really powerful," said Eric.
At the same time, the soldiers discovered the depth of support from abroad.
"We were amazed," said Daniel. "None of us expected the hospitality and giving that they were showing us the whole time. The Moriah community was very special."
"It was magical," said Ziv. "We were in the room to do clinical work. Outside the room, they had not just food, but the love of the community."
"There are so many groups now that are in need of this therapy," said Fraint. "I would love to see more communities hosting."
Julie Mangurten Weinberg is a Northbrook-based freelance journalist with 25+ years of experience in broadcast, print, and digital media.
