Straus Scholar Adina Feldman (SCW, ‘26) reflects on her psychological research and fieldwork in Israel after October 7th

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Straus Scholars at are encouraged to pursue internships and fellowships that expand on their Straus Center studies. For one Straus Scholar and psychology major, Adina Feldman (SCW, ‘26), the aftermath of October 7th provided a unique and transformative opportunity to engage with both academic research and practical support for Israeli families. Below is a reflection from Ms. Feldman.

Over the summer and fall semesters, I have had the privilege of serving as a clinical and research intern for Micki Lavin-Pell, a trauma and relationship therapist based in Jerusalem. My work centered on projects tailored to address the psychological struggles facing Israelis in the aftermath of October 7th. 

During the summer, her clinic, Loving Wisely, facilitated group therapy sessions for parents of active-duty soldiers. My primary role was to interview prospective participants, assessing whether group therapy was the best avenue to explore their distress. These interviews were profoundly eye-opening—not only did they provide a practical application for the skills I have been acquiring in my psychology coursework at , but they also offered me firsthand insight into the profound challenges people face as they send their children to war.

As I transitioned back to ’s New York campus for my junior year, I continued remotely as a research intern for the clinic. My focus shifted to supporting Mrs. Lavin-Pell’s forthcoming book, which examines the impact of October 7th on relationships. Among my responsibilities, I developed interview questions and surveys for partners of reserve soldiers and conducted Zoom interviews to collect data for a comprehensive study to be included in the upcoming publication.

In my research, I explore the effects of prolonged combat on relationships, comparing the Israeli experience to similar situations, such as U.S. military deployments and the war in Ukraine. This comparative analysis aims to identify strategies to mitigate the challenges Israeli families face as reserve soldiers spend extended periods away from their partners—emotionally and mentally distant on the battlefield, yet geographically close to home.

This work has been humbling and rewarding. My role was not to provide therapeutic care but to collect data, which often meant simply listening. I was struck by the profound impact of offering people a safe environment to articulate their fears, frustrations, and hopes. I also marveled at the vastly different ways individuals process similar experiences—each interview offered a unique perspective.

In addition to my psychology courses at , my humanities studies through the Straus Center have been pivotal in shaping my approach to this work. Literature classes have enhanced my empathy and understanding of human emotion, history courses have illuminated the complexities of human behavior and resilience, and Straus reading groups have refined my public speaking and interpersonal skills, equipping me to navigate challenging conversations.

I am deeply grateful to the Straus Center for facilitating such transformative experiences on and off campus that blend academic learning with practical application. This internship, supported by the Straus Center, has reinforced my passion for psychology and provided invaluable tools for my future career.