Dear Friends,

This past Thursday night, I had the privilege of moderating an incredibly heartfelt and deeply moving conversation between Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman, presented by Amudim and Living Lchaim. If you missed the livestream, I encourage you to watch the replay here.

The theme of the night was clear: In times of war, grief, and uncertainty, the greatest healing comes from connection—with ourselves, with each other, and with Hashem.

Rabbi Goldberg spoke powerfully about the emotional toll of staying informed in today’s nonstop news cycle. He shared honestly about the desire to know everything, yet reminded us to step back, regulate, and instead reach out to those actually living the crisis. He encouraged us to take meaningful action—whether that’s sending a text to a friend in Israel, surprising someone with a coffee, or simply pausing before we post online. Are we offering support—or unintentionally deepening the pain?

Dr. Zimmerman echoed that truth from a psychological perspective, reminding us that the strongest predictor of resilience is having even just one person who truly sees you. That’s the gift we can each give: to be that person. To notice. To text. To show up. Small gestures—like checking in with a neighbor—can reignite hope.

They both emphasized: it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to not be okay. But we don’t have to stay there. Whether we’re parents wondering how to guide our children through frightening times, or simply trying to manage our own stress, the message is the same: Be real. Be grounded. And above all—stay connected.

“Even the act of getting out of bed some mornings is a powerful form of avodas Hashem.” – Rabbi Goldberg
“Hope is more powerful than Narcan.” – Dr. Zimmerman

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t wait:
📞 U.S.: 718-972-3000
📞 Israel: 02-374-0222
📧 Email: support@amudim.org

With prayers for safety, healing, and light for all of Klal Yisrael,

Warmly,
Andy Lauber
Executive Director