There is not a single child in Israel who has not been affected by the war. Every child in Israel has endured terrible chaos and excruciating suffering since October 7th.
Even if they were not displaced, or the families of those who were murdered, kidnapped or returned prisoners, or the families of those killed or wounded who continue to fight and risk their lives, all of them are. Our children – parents, families, communities, media – are all affected by the devastating effects of terrible loss. We are all transmitting to our children the fear, the pain, the despair, the grief and the bereavement.
As educators, we have to think about the month ahead without a Minister of Education leading the education system. Minister Yoav Kish, who promised displaced people in the north that the new school year would start on September 1, has not taken any action to fulfill this promise.
While students are dropping out of the education system, ministers are focused on appointing senior government officials to their posts. September 1st is normally a day of excitement, joy and anticipation for the new year. But on September 1st, our children will be meeting adults who are hurting and suffering.
Children have sensitive senses and can read hidden messages no matter how hard we try to suppress them. Let's admit it. We can no longer hide our emotions. Our body language and facial expressions betray our appearance. September 1 this year will be a sad and frightening day, followed by a month of holidays. We ourselves must prepare our children. Minister Miri Regev, who was appointed to plan the first anniversary of the October 7 events, will not save us. We must deal with this frightening anniversary ourselves.
Social and emotional learning and community support
What can we do in our schools, kindergartens and informal educational settings to help bring back some sanity? How can we prepare for October 7th, which comes right after Rosh Hashanah?
The first month of the school year should not be devoted to teaching a variety of subjects: there will be no more routine punishments, regular demands, and rushed “two-two information” transfers from teacher to teacher.
When children come to school, they will find a central figure, a peer group, a caring community of adults who know how to set boundaries on the one hand and embrace them with love on the other. They will have open and well-managed conversations with the children, and participate in informal, physical and creative activities. Educators will fully implement the approach now known as “social and emotional learning” (SEL) and add the element of “financial.”
Social-emotional learning is always physical, especially in traumatic situations. Hiking, playing, cooking, mindfulness, music, exercise, theater and all kinds of creative activities can activate the mind and body together. We need to adapt all these activities to specific ages and situations. Each community plans its own activities for its children with one goal: to provide well-being in an inclusive environment.
After Rosh Hashanah, October 7th awaits them. There is no need for national ceremonies or flag-waving, for us or for them. We celebrate this day in an intimate and educational setting. At the same time, in a gentle way, we confront our universal pain. I imagine a day of mourning without any activities dictated from above, without work, entertainment or distraction. Just a day of mourning, where each community and family finds a way to express their sadness and grief, to say “it's not over yet.” A year later, we are still on the battlefield. This is the truth, and our children know it.
Oct. 7 will feature the same at school, marking the culmination of that preparation month, and at the end of that month, kids can say to their parents, “I have a safe place where I can share my thoughts. I need friends. I can talk to my teachers when I'm having a hard time. I want to continue to cope. Yes, I can.”
The author is the Dean of the College of Management Education Department (COLMAN).