Psychologist to Speak About Intergenerational Trauma From Holocaust

Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) in Scotch Plains will host a lecture by Irit Felsen, PhD, who will speak about the psychological effects of the Holocaust on survivors themselves, as well as on their children and families. The discussion will take place at CBI on Sunday, May 19, at 5 PM and is free of charge. The program is open to the community and is designed to appeal to a wide audience.

Dr. Felsen is a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and traumatic loss and is a renowned speaker in her field, both nationally and internationally. Her work has focused on the long-term effects of the Holocaust on survivors and their families, and on intergenerational transmission of unique vulnerabilities and resilience to descendants.

A daughter of two Holocaust survivors, Dr. Felsen grew up in Israel and has been living in the United States since she did her postdoctoral training at Yale University. She is Co-Chair of the Trauma Work Group in the NGO on Mental Health in Consultative Relationship to the United Nations and was the Chair of the Covid-19 APA Interdisciplinary Task Force during the years of its operation. She is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University and at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University. She also has a private practice in New Jersey.

“We are excited to invite Dr. Felsen to our community,” said Rita Geller, who is a co-chair of the Second/Third Generation Holocaust Survivors Group, sponsor of the event. “Besides being informative for the members of our group, whose parents or grandparents survived the Holocaust, it will be very interesting for everyone else too. Intergenerational trauma is a hot topic in psychology today.”

The Second/Third Generation Holocaust Survivors Group was created at Congregation Beth Israel, but also includes participants from other area synagogues and the community. It functions as a support group for its members to share experiences. The group also plans events to educate the public about the Holocaust.

Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, NJ (corner of Martine Avenue). For additional information about the event, call the synagogue office at (908) 889-1830.