Sheba trauma specialists bring expertise to Sydney

A delegation of Sheba Medical Centre trauma specialists is using their knowledge from treating hostages and October 7 survivors to help those impacted by the December 14 Chanukah terror attack at Bondi Beach.

Dr Naama de la Fontaine, Dr Jana Porat, Shani Or-Noy and Tamar Silber have been in Sydney this week to meet with the devastated Kesser Torah community, as well as the wider Jewish community. This marks the first time they have travelled to a Jewish community outside of Israel to offer trauma support.

“It feels like we are having this shared feeling that we’re together in this and we want to build this resilience together with the community,” Silber said.

“We all felt after October 7 we had the support of the Jewish community around the world and that really helped us to not feel alone. By coming here we also wanted to show the Jewish community that we’re in this together.”

Porat said it feels “quite natural” to be with the Australian Jewish community.

“We feel we are part of the same community, the same people. Our goal is to empower the community,” she said.

Porat said it’s important to encourage children and adults to ask questions and validate their feelings.

“Healing from trauma is feeling,” she said.

Children’s Trauma Clinic founder de la Fontaine said after October 7 it was touching to see a great deal of support and light “coming out of the darkness”.

She said when it comes to talking to children about trauma, it’s important to communicate with them in a developmentally appropriate manner.

“When children, and adults, avoid trauma reminders their world becomes limited,” she said.

“Part of the work that we do for all children is that memories can’t hurt you. They can be painful, but they’re not dangerous. Putting the past in the past is the first step towards moving forward.”

Or-Noy had a message of hope for those impacted by the Chanukah attack.

“We see from working with the hostages who came back, and also the soldiers and people who were hurt on October 7, that there is post-traumatic growth. This is very important to know,” she said.

“Often you get more strength. You understand what is important for you, you make deeper connections and you feel more loved and bring more love to the world. This is something I found out in Israel and I hope your community will also find out this is what can happen.”