Israeli Reservist Develops Support Platform for PTSD Families After Combat Service

Alexander Furman, a 46-year-old data scientist from Modiin, returned to reserve duty in southern Israel following the October 7 attacks despite having a prior exemption. After serving extensively in Lebanon and Gaza, Furman was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On July 26, he will present "Ketef" (Shoulder), a digital platform he developed with his team to support families of PTSD sufferers, at the TechHeal hackathon in Tel Aviv. This event is a collaboration between Matav, the Israeli Center for Psychotrauma, and TechGym, a technology professionals community.

Furman recounted how he volunteered immediately after the October 7 attacks, distributing supplies to soldiers and rejoining the reserves on October 12 as a medical evacuation driver. His 383-day service included frontline combat in northern Israel and southern Gaza, witnessing significant death and trauma. After the ceasefire in October 2025, Furman began experiencing symptoms affecting his work and daily life, leading to a PTSD diagnosis and group therapy treatment that concluded in June 2026.

Motivated by his own recovery journey and desire to help others, Furman joined TechGym’s initiative to create technological solutions for PTSD challenges. The "Ketef" platform aims to build a community support network for families of PTSD sufferers, inspired by the Israeli organization "Yedidim," which assists stranded motorists. The platform matches volunteers with families based on geographic proximity to provide various levels of assistance, from remote help with paperwork to in-person support like shopping or childcare.

Furman emphasized the importance of easing the burden on families who often bear the brunt of PTSD’s impact. Although the platform is still in the demo phase, Furman and his team plan to continue development regardless of the hackathon outcome. He cited research predicting up to 50,000 PTSD cases in Israel by 2028 and stressed the social value of their project over financial gain.

Meanwhile, Furman is cautiously re-entering the workforce, balancing job interviews with managing his PTSD. He noted the stigma that can arise when disclosing his condition but remains optimistic about growing awareness. Furman’s story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Israeli reservists coping with trauma and the innovative efforts to support them and their families through technology.