Psychology – back to basics
At each point he was able to draw upon and reference traditional Jewish literature and psychological insights from Talmudic sages.
Alot has been said about Moody’s Israel credit downgrade rating from A1 to A2: but there was also some optimistic news in their assessment.
“So far the economy has managed the fallout from the conflict reasonably well: with high-frequency indicators pointing to a swift rebound over the past three months.” Moody’s also mentions the planned budgetary measures from the Ministry of Finance – including raising VAT from 17 per cent to 18 per cent from 2025.
“The government’s willingness to raise taxes is a positive sign about the strength of the country’s institutions, given the reluctance of successive governments in the past to consider higher taxes and, if approved in full, these measures could broadly compensate the higher defence and interest spending, although budget deficits will remain much wider than expected before the conflict.”
Psychology
In the main, the chamber’s delegations that focus on innovation are usually split into two different themes: Technology, which looks at the actual software platforms and applications solving various corporate pain points; and the Culture of Innovation, which includes resilience, crisis management, leadership, team building and adapting to an ever-changing environment.
Hence, the chamber’s first mission post-October 7 was a group of psychologists, mental health therapists and social workers, organised by former Australian Psychology Society president Dr Amanda Gordon, who following the tragic events of October 7, founded Nefesh Achat. This is a coalition of English-speaking trauma therapists in the Diaspora who offer support and consultation to mental health providers in Israel. We had mission participants from Melbourne and Sydney, as well as New York, Los Angeles and even Panama!
Recognising the psychological impact of events in Israel, the group engaged in collaborative workshops, trauma-focused interventions and knowledge sharing – aimed at fortifying the resilience of Israeli mental health professionals. By fostering a shared understanding, the group endeavoured to strengthen the local psychological community: promoting healing and recovery.
One of the program highlights was Rabbi Dr Ethan Eisen, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the George Washington University, and is an Orthodox rabbi! His presentation about “Moral Injury” included an analysis of what is sadly happening today in Israel: “the hierarchy of grievance”.
At each point he was able to draw upon and reference traditional Jewish literature and psychological insights from Talmudic sages.
Another important but tough meeting was with 64-year-old kindergarten teacher Aviva Segal, who was taken hostage from her home in Kibbutz Aza with her husband Keith. She was released after 51 days, but Keith is still in Gaza.
Much of what Segal spoke about cannot be repeated here, but she did talk about being moved over 13 times to different locations, staying in appalling conditions, including the Hamas terror tunnels, where she often struggled to breathe; and witnessing unbearable atrocities, especially towards young female hostages.
Segal is a mother of four and didn’t know until she was released if her son Shai had survived the barbaric October 7 attack. There are no words to describe their reunion.
There was not a dry eye in the room during her session.
Paul Israel is the executive director of the Israel-Australia Chamber of Commerce.
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