Abstract
In this chapter, we address conceptual issues regarding traumatic bereavement and culture in Israel. We begin by first addressing the terms trauma and bereavement. Next we put forth a frame of reference, the Two-Track Model of Bereavement assessing functioning and the relationship to the deceased, which underlies any culturally sensitive approach to traumatic bereavement. It delineates and clarifies a way of conceptualizing, assessing, and intervening following traumatic bereavement. We then turn our attention to the cultural frameworks that are most involved with traumatic bereavements in Israel—deaths related to combat and to terror. After describing the way national bereavements in the military have changed over time, we turn to two cases of cultural disconnect. The first involves Russian immigrants who were bereaved due to terror attacks and the second considers the case of Ethiopian families whose loved ones die during military service. We conclude with recommendations regarding how to approach/manage culturally sensitive attention to the points of contact between trauma, bereavement, and culture. Done properly, this facilitates appropriate regard for biopsychosocial functioning and the relationship to the deceased.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Barel, E., Van Ijzendoorn, M. H., Sagi-Schwartz, A., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2010). Surviving the Holocaust: a meta-analysis of the long-term sequelae of a genocide. Psychological Bulletin, 136(5), 677–698.
Ben-Amos, A., & Bet-El, I. (1999). Holocaust Day and Memorial Day in Israeli schools: Ceremonies. Education and History Israel Studies, 4(1), 258–284.
Bilu, Y., & Witztum, E. (2000). War-related loss and suffering in Israeli society: An historical perspective. Israel Studies, 5, 1–31.
Ephratt, M. (2008). The functions of silence. Journal of Pragmatics, 40(11), 1909–1938.
Givertz, Y., & Mosogaviya, N. (2001). Unpeaceful rest. Yedioth Ahronoth (Hebrew).
Grisaru, N., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2008). Bereavement customs, grief and rituals among Ethiopian immigrants to Israel. Illness, Crisis, & Loss, 16(2), 111–123.
Malkinson, R., Rubin, S. S., & Witztum, E. (2000). Traumatic and nontraumatic loss and bereavement: Clinical theory and practice. Madison, CT: International University/Psychosocial Press.
Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2000). Commemoration and bereavement: Cultural aspects of collective myth and the creation of national identity. In R. Malkinson, S. S. Rubin, & E. Witztum (Eds.), Traumatic and nontraumatic loss and bereavement: Clinical theory and practice. Madison, CT: International University/Psychosocial Press.
Neria, Y., Gross, R., Litz, B., Maguen, S., Insel, B., Seirmarco, G., et al. (2007). Prevalence and psychological correlates of complicated grief among bereaved adults 2.5–3.5 years after September 11th attacks. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(3), 251–262.
Pardess, E. (2013). Fostering a sense of belonging in the face of adversity-An attachment framework. Paper presented at the International Conference: Migration and Well-Being: Research Frontiers at Tel Aviv University.
Pearlman, L. A., Wortman, C. B., Feuer, C. A., Farber, C. H., & Rando, T. A. (2014). Treating traumatic bereavement: A practitioner’s guide. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Prigerson, H., & Jacobs, S. (2001). Traumatic grief as a distinct disorder: A rationale, consensus criteria, and a preliminary empirical test. In M. Stroebe, W. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, & H. Schut (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research: Consequences, coping, and care (pp. 613–637). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Rosenblatt, P. C. (2008). Grief across cultures. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, H. Schut, & W. Stroebe (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and interventions (pp. 207–211). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Rubin, S. S. (1999). The Two-Track Model of Bereavement: Overview, retrospect and prospect. Death Studies, 23(8), 681–714.
Rubin, S. S. (2014–2015). Loss and bereavement in the Jewish tradition. Omega, 70(1), 79–98.
Rubin, S. S., Malkinson, R., Koren, D., Mor Yosef, S., & Witztum, E. (2011). Military bereavement and combat trauma. In S. Ringel & J. R. Brandell (Eds.), Trauma: Contemporary directions in theory, practice, and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Rubin, S. S., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2000). An overview of the field of loss. In R. Malkinson, S. S. Rubin, & E. Witztum (Eds.), Traumatic and nontraumatic loss and breavement: Clinical theory and practice. Madison, CT: International University/Psychosocial Press.
Rubin, S. S., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2003). Trauma and bereavement: Conceptual and clinical issues revolving around relationships. Death Studies, 27(8), 667–690.
Rubin, S. S., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2008). Clinical aspects of a DSM complicated grief diagnosis: Challenges, dilemmas, and opportunities. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, H. Schut, & W. Stroebe (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention (pp. 187–206). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Press.
Rubin, S. S., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2012). Working with the bereaved: Multiple lenses on loss and mourning. New York, NY: Routledge.
Rynearson, E. K. (2001). Retelling violent death. New York, NY: Psychology Press.
Shalev, R. (2009). Bereaved parents: Change of self, future orientation, functioning and adaptation to loss. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Haifa.
Witztum, E. (2004). Soul, loss and bereavement. Tel Aviv: Ministry of Defense Publication.
Witztum, E., Malkinson, R., & Rubin, S. S. (2001). Death, bereavement and traumatic loss in Israel: a historical and cultural perspective. The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 38(3-4), 157–170.
Yom Hazikaron (2014). Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Hazikaron. Accessed 16 November 2014.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Witztum, E., Malkinson, R., Rubin, S.S. (2016). Loss, Traumatic Bereavement, and Mourning Culture: The Israel Example. In: Ataria, Y., Gurevitz, D., Pedaya, H., Neria, Y. (eds) Interdisciplinary Handbook of Trauma and Culture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29404-9_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29404-9_23
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-29402-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-29404-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)