Lucy Aharish, an Arab-Israeli journalist, news anchor, television host, and mother, discusses how the events of October 7th have affected her personally and professionally. Aharish opens up with her struggles of reporting on atrocious, antisemtic acts. In addition, Aharish emphasizes the importance of education and critical thinking when it comes to engaging in meaningful discourse. She also talks about how it is her duty, as a journalist and civilian, to criticize her government and fight for her country. Lastly, she speaks to the uncertainties of life during a time of war and her struggles with learning how to rebuild a life full of hope. Aharish wonders, how do we regain our compassion, and how, if ever, will we return to normal life? 

NBA player and mental health advocate Michael Sweetney and nonprofit leader Eric M. Rubin who is the Global Ambassador for the Maccabi World Union and the Executive Director of Project Max, demonstrate how taking action on dismantling hate is central to their healing. Sweetney, who is coaching at Yeshiva University, shifted the focus on his NBA career to mental health advocacy, and is using his platform to deliver wellness presentations focusing on inclusivity and mental well-being. Rubin, a seasoned executive, leverages sports diplomacy to combat antisemitism and racism, engaging with global organizations to foster unity and tolerance. Both individuals highlight how their efforts to fight hate not only support others, but also contribute to their own healing and growth. Their journeys underscore the transformative impact of using sports and advocacy to promote unity and dismantle hate. 

Amit Halpern Navigating a normal teenage life while also living through multiple wars, Amit Halpern describes how he is managing under such extreme circumstances. Demonstrating innate strength and resilience, he describes what it has been like to be alive through four wars. In addition, Halpern speaks to feeling safer in his identity while in Israel, even with an ongoing war, than he would in any other country, especially the United States due to the rampant anti-Semitism. Lastly, Halpern discusses the effects of generational trauma and how this has affected his upbringing. 

Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev and Reem Abed Elhai, CEO and Senior Nurse of Schneider Hospital, respectively, discuss their journey of finding connection during a time of war. They speak candidly about navigating personal and professional relationships between a diverse staff of Arabs and Israelis and how they cultivated a space of compassion and transparency, ultimately providing staff with a space to feel safe as they expressed their own personal struggles with the ongoing war. Furthermore, they discuss their abiilty to foster cultural competency amongst staff and how this benefitted both the patients and the staff. Lastly, they touch upon the long-term psychological impacts of war and how this, unfortunately, is only the beginning. 

Dr. Yehudah Pryce, a Senior Director of National Mental Health and Well-Being Programs at a national nonprofit organization, psychotherapist, and clinical social worker, discusses his journey of finding joy and healing since the tragedy of October 7th. Dr. Pryce expresses his struggles with processing his pain and grief with the way society has responded to the tragedy. Lastly, he discusses the intersections that come with being part of the Black and Jewish communities.