Jewish Psychologists Form New Support Networks
Mental health professionals are establishing independent associations to address reported alienation within the field.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Judaism
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Following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, Jewish psychologists are forming new professional communities to address social and professional alienation. Practitioners are creating independent networks to better support patients and researchers facing challenges related to Jewish identity.
Why it matters
Many Jewish clinicians report feeling isolated from their professional peers due to their views on Israel. Simultaneously, patients are seeking care from providers who understand the traumatic invalidation that can occur when discussing antisemitism.
The Association of Jewish Psychologists was founded in 2023 by 84-year-old Lenore Walker. Additionally, 34-year-old psychologist Daniel Balva partners with Gesher Community Care to offer telecounseling across the United States and Canada.
The players
Lenore Walker
She is the 84-year-old psychologist who founded the Association of Jewish Psychologists in 2023.
Daniel Balva
He is a 34-year-old psychologist providing telecounseling to lone soldiers and immigrants through Gesher Community Care.
Milton Wainberg
He serves as a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University.
The details
Psychologists Against Antisemitism has emerged to promote research on anti-Zionism and antisemitism within the profession. Meanwhile, independent telecounseling services provide targeted support to populations such as lone soldiers and new immigrants in Israel.
Timeline
October 7, 2023: Hamas-led terrorists infiltrated Israel, murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others.
2023: Lenore Walker established the Association of Jewish Psychologists.
October 2026: The Voice of the People conference was held in Budapest.
Culture Shift
The formation of these networks follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist infiltration of Israel, which triggered significant social and professional turbulence. This represents a trend of professionals seeking like-minded communities to combat ideological isolation.
Patients may now seek providers through specialized networks that prioritize shared understanding of Jewish identity and antisemitism. This shift offers a practical alternative for those who feel invalidated by their current mental health providers.
The takeaway
Clinicians and patients are increasingly prioritizing cultural and ideological compatibility within the therapeutic relationship. Finding a provider who validates specific cultural experiences can be a critical step in managing trauma effectively.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving community dynamics in the Judaism section.
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Do you trust that your mental health provider remains objective regarding your own personal background?
