Holocaust survivors living in Israel cope better with the long-term effects of the Holocaust than those living in other countries. Such were the findings of a new study carried out at the University of Haifa which integrated into one mega-analysis the results of 59 previous studies of 12,746 Holocaust survivors.
Dr. Efrat Barel, who carried out the research, selected those previous studies which compared groups of Holocaust survivors with control groups of people who had not experienced the Holocaust.
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Generally, survivors displayed less ability to cope with the various aspects of life in old age, compared with those of the same age who had not been through the Holocaust.
Examination of specific coping skills showed that Holocaust survivors worldwide more frequently developed psychiatric symptoms, such as post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. However, in other areas relating to functionality, such as physical health, psychological welfare and cognitive functioning, there were no significant differences between survivors and non-survivors.
Survivors at a gathering point in American military occupation zone after the war.
Photo: Yad Vashem
The researcher aimed to examine whether there are factors that can explain differences among the group of survivors. It was found that living in Israel, as opposed to living in other countries, played a role in moderating the long-term effects of the Holocaust on survivors.
"When comparing Israeli Holocaust survivors with other Israelis, we didn't find any difference in psychological wellbeing such as day-to-day functioning, social adjustment and personality development. But in other locations such as Europe, Australia and North America, the survivors did have problems in these areas," Dr. Barel [pictured] told Israel National News.
"It was counter-intuitive at first," Dr. Barel said in a subsequent interview with Yishai Fleisher on Israel National Radio, "because we know that living here in Israel has its own extra pressures – economic pressures and especially security pressures. So it was very puzzling at first."
Dr. Barel speculated on what were the reasons for this remarkable finding that Israeli Holocaust survivors coped better in several areas.
Mandatory Palestine, Immigrants from Germany doing agricultural work and sewing rubber cloaks.
Photo: Die Deutche Bibliotek
One possible reason is based on Viktor Frankl's book "A Man's Search for Meaning." Dr. Barel proposed that since Israel was in pre-state conditions when the survivors came, they found here a new agenda, goal, and meaning in building a Jewish State. "This is something that is bigger than rebuilding their personal life, and maybe this gave them strength to endure the horrific atrocities that were endured during the Holocaust," she said.
Dr. Barel recognizes that initially survivors arriving in Israel did not feel comfortable talking about their experiences. Israeli society did not welcome the stories from Europe, and there existed a "conspiracy of silence." "But the challenges of the times forced them to start building," said Dr. Barel, "which gave them meaning, and helped them to get close to others and flourish." In early 1960's, the silence was broken with the Eichmann trial. This, in turn, led to greater social support and eventual embracing of Holocuast survivors by the Israeli public, she explained.
The study showed that alongside vulnerability is great resilience amidst the population of Holocaust survivors. The findings relating to vulnerability emphasize the need to provide unique and specialized intervention and assistance for Holocaust survivors, especially as they reach old age. "Additionally, in terms of research, closer attention must be given to the development of symptoms that have not yet been studied in order to locate those factors that lead to the development of dire trauma," Dr. Barel concluded.