For Israelis, confronting loss is a touchstone of social resilience. Forged in the heat of epic wars and ongoing defensive battles, Israeli society has learned to overcome the shock of military casualties and resume the course of daily life.  For the mothers and wives of fallen servicemen, however, bereavement is a life long struggle.

Now, researchers from the school of social work at Sapir Academic College have been recognized by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization for their pioneering research into relations between mothers and wives of soldiers killed in action. Drs. Einav Segev, Irit Regev and Yael Hochman recently published a groundbreaking study on the loss of husband and son from the double perspective of their survivors. The complex relationship between mother and widow after the death of the man at the heart of their familial connection is critical to the emotional resilience of the families involved – and the greater good of society. This relationship, however, is often marred by conflicting and ambivalent perspectives on matters such as guilt, self-blame and acceptance. Their study points to the centrality of the relationship between widows and bereaved mothers in the process of coping with loss.  At Sapir, promoting social resilience is a cornerstone of our academic mission.

The Sapir Barometer of social resilience, developed to evaluate the wellbeing of communities in the Gaza envelope under stress of military conflict, is now widely used as a tool for gauging resilience throughout Israeli society. Drs. Segev, Regev and Hochman have made a significant contribution to this endeavor -- while providing new insight into the never ending struggle of those women whose lives have forever been shattered by the tragedy of war.

More News

לאה שלף
Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers have seen combat in the Gaza Strip since last October, but not all of them leave the war behind when they come back home. Many suffer combat and operational stress, reactions that could lead to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and even suicide. Now, cutting edge research by Dr. Leah Shelef, Dean of the School of Social Work at Sapir College, is seeking the most effective way to treat – and prevent – these dangerous outcomes.
Read more
While Israel considers how to revitalize the devastated communities of Hevel Tkuma / Gaza Envelope, Sapir Academic College has just taken the first step. Sapir, the academic nerve center of the entire Western Negev, will devote most of its NIS 200 million in government rehabilitation funding to scholarships, enabling more students from diverse backgrounds to study in the region. Its flagship initiative will be free tuition for all first-year students.
Read more