Rabbanit Naomi Shapira Discusses Family Trauma and Resilience Amid War Impact in Ramat Gan

Rabbanit Naomi Shapira Brown, founder and director of the Avkashcha Midrasha and a teacher at Bar-Ilan University, shared in an interview with Channel 7 the profound personal impact of the recent war on her family. Her eldest son, Avraham, developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to traumatic events while serving near the Shura camp, despite not directly handling casualties due to their priestly status. The family initially struggled to recognize his mental health struggles, as his strong leadership qualities masked his inner turmoil. Following hospitalization and treatment, Avraham is now coping well, and his experience opened the family’s eyes to the often invisible heroism of those suffering from PTSD.

As a second-generation Holocaust survivor, Rabbanit Shapira draws parallels between her family’s current challenges and the isolation faced by her parents’ generation. She emphasizes the importance of community support today, contrasting it with the solitary struggles of Holocaust survivors. The family’s decision to openly discuss mental health has resonated widely with others facing similar issues.

Reflecting on her and her husband Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira’s early efforts, she recounted their pioneering work establishing a Hesder Yeshiva in Ramat Gan 33 years ago, a significant achievement supported by Rabbi Yaakov Ariel. She also described her unique "between the drops" study method, designed to integrate Torah learning into daily household tasks, addressing the challenges women face balancing spiritual growth with family responsibilities.

Rabbanit Shapira concluded with a heartfelt message to the women of the Israeli reserve forces, urging them to care for their own well-being and maintain joy as a foundation for their families and the nation amid ongoing wartime pressures.