At a joint meeting of the men’s and women’s groups of the Menorah Community youth project of the Jewish community of Dnipro, which is actively developing thanks to the efforts of the Zislina family, the participants discussed the topic of psychological resilience and inner balance.
Esti Zislina, co-director of the project, invited the Menorah Community participants to discuss important and pressing topics, in particular, how chronic stress and uncertainty affect the human psyche or why people who help others burn out so quickly, although the Talmud says that “He who saves one life saves the whole world.” Specific practical issues were also proposed for discussion – how to maintain harmony and support in the family (if, for example, mom or dad is on the verge of a breakdown), as well as how to delicately talk about difficult topics in the family so as not to lose mutual understanding and trust.
To get answers to these and many other questions, a special guest was invited – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Svitlana Mykhailivna Moroz, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist and general director of the largest specialized clinic in Ukraine, the Dnipropetrovsk Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital for Psychiatric Care (known as the “Hospital on Igren”). Svitlana Mykhailivna, a well-known specialist with more than forty-five years of professional experience, told about herself, and then discussed with the project participants the issues that concern them, for example, what signs indicate that it is time to seek help and where is the line between “normal stress” and a clinical case, because Jewish sages say that “The kingdom of emotions begins with a small sign.”
A separate part of the conversation was the relationship between psychological resilience and Jewish traditions, such as Shabbat, which helps a family to be together, hear and listen to each other without distractions, as well as the concept of “Emunah” – inner confidence and trust in the Almighty, which affects a person’s ability to withstand life’s trials.
“This meeting was a profound experience for us and an important reminder of how much depends on the ability to support each other and protect the inner world of each of us,” says Esti Zislina, co-director of the Menorah Community project. “It was very important for our young men and women to understand how, from a psychological point of view, faith affects a person’s resilience, and we are very grateful to our wonderful guest, who does so much for all people in need of help and support, including our beloved Jewish community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
