The National Leadership Center and the newly established Jerusalem Leadership Institute stand as beacons of light across Israel. Through dynamic programs and training initiatives, they equip participants with vital leadership skills, strengthen social resilience, support trauma recovery, foster personal growth, and more.

Some years ago, I read a New York Times bestselling book, The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, which has now sold over three million copies. The book is about how psychological trauma physically reshapes both brain and body, causing lasting anxiety, rage, and impairment in daily life. It also offers hope through various treatments cited, emphasizing not turning solely to pharmacology. Recently, I read an article from Israel stating that this book is now very popular there and is available in Hebrew in both written and audio formats. Many of the book’s recommended paths to healing are reflected in the work of the NLC and JLI, including encouraging openness and connection with others, engaging in challenging physical activities like high ropes courses, and spending meaningful time in nature.

During the 49 days of Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) that lead up to Shavuot (which begins this month at sundown on May 21), many Jewish people observe this sacred season as a set-apart time– marking spiritual progression from Passover to Shavuot. Many rabbis believe it was on Shavuot that God gave Israel the precious gift of the Torah. They point out that on Passover, He delivered them from slavery, but on Shavuot, He sanctified them by His Holy Word. Therefore, the days in between represent a period of increasing revelation and an opportunity for inner growth; it’s a time that encourages people to cultivate positive character traits, values, healing, and personal development. Historically, good things have happened during the Omer count, including the birth of the State of Israel in 1948 and the recapture of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount in 1967.

Today, Israel is facing a profound mental health crisis, with trauma reaching extreme levels since October 7, 2023. So in this time of Sefirat HaOmer, let us pray for increased revelation and healing from the trauma of these past years with Isaiah 61:1-3 in mind: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.”