At the beginning of his new book, Moshe Kaplan MD observes that the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel—which he terms “Hamasticide” (apocalyptic barbarism)—”brought in its wake thousands of stories of ‘ordinary’ people rising to the occasion and providing every kind of support, comfort, care and resource imaginable for those in need.”
As an example, he tells the heroic story of Dr. Gedalya Fandel, who on Oct. 7 set up and managed an improvised emergency room and field hospital at the junction leading to his home in Shuva, a religious moshav near the Gaza border, “treating numerous wounded people with limited resources, while facing a medical and psychological crisis of unprecedented proportions.”
Meanwhile, Fandel’s wife and children managed the home command, offering survivors of the massacre a safe haven while other residents of the moshav joined in their efforts. “The Fandel family’s actions exemplify human kindness and the power of community support during times of unimaginable crisis,” Kaplan notes.
Moshe Kaplan. Credit: Courtesy.
When Kaplan, who compiled the book of essays and opinion pieces, first encountered the stories of resilience and loss from survivors and experts, he knew that they had to be shared.
A United States-born psychoimmunologist who lives with his wife and young son in Jerusalem, Kaplan believes that Extreme Trauma: October 7 as an Outlier in the Range of Human Potential offers “a message of hope—that through newfound unity, Israel and the Jewish people will survive and thrive.”
“The motivation behind Extreme Trauma came from my deep belief in the need to bring clarity and understanding to a tragic, yet pivotal event—Oct. 7—and its far-reaching effects,” he told JNS. “This book became my contribution to bringing the truth to people who need to know it.”
He added, “The trauma caused by such events often leaves a void in terms of understanding their psychological, emotional and societal consequences. I wanted to present a framework for healing, unity and resilience for those affected.”
The book, which includes chapters by the author as well as “leading political, military, religious and internationally recognized thought leaders,” constitutes what Kaplan calls “a roadmap to recovery for Israel and the Jewish community following the deadly terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.”
Among the mosaic of voices featured in the volume are Israel activists Douglas Murray and Noa Tishby, JNS’s Amelie Botbol and Fiamma Nirenstein, philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson and the late Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, who present, in Kaplan’s words, “not just the truth, but a call to moral clarity.”
“The Jewish people have a unique ability to transform trauma into growth, to find meaning in suffering and to emerge stronger in the face of adversity,” according to Kaplan. “In our deepest pain, we often discover our highest calling and the seeds of our collective healing.”
The cofounder and CEO of the Israel-based Be A Mensch Foundation, Kaplan has authored two previous books, Be A Mensch and A Wholly Life. He is set to launch an international tour to promote his latest book at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem on May 27. Cities on his planned tour include London, New York, Washington, D.C., Miami and Los Angeles.
Be A Mensch Foundation
Kaplan said the stories in his book aim to spark constructive dialogue—a key mission of the Be A Mensch Foundation—”to foster deeper understanding, acceptance, commonality and an enduring bond among all persons of conscience.”
The Be A Mensch Foundation, founded 11 years ago by Kaplan and Rabbi Mordechai Geduld, is dedicated to bringing together polarized factions in Israel through constructive dialogue.
“This book wasn’t just an academic endeavor for me,” Kaplan said. “It was a collective effort, a chance to address one of the most critical issues facing us today. I truly believe that by continuing to engage in these conversations, we can move forward together, united in our resilience, our strength and our commitment to building a better world.”
Asked what he had learned writing and compiling the book, Kaplan told JNS it taught him how “complex and multi-layered” trauma truly is.
“I encountered vast amounts of research and testimonies, and the challenge was to carefully filter and synthesize all the information into a coherent narrative,” he said. “What struck me most was the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit. Despite the unimaginable horrors that some have faced, many have found ways to rebuild, heal and reconnect.”
He added, “I learned that while the human capacity for suffering is immense, so too is the capacity for recovery, hope and transformation. The process made me realize that our potential for resilience is vast—and it’s something we all carry within us, even in the darkest times.”
Extreme Trauma, published by the Be A Mensch Foundation as an educational project, is designed for schools, universities, synagogues and think tanks. “It’s a resource, not just a read—crafted to inform, inspire and educate,” the foundation said in a press release.
Message to readers
Asked what he wants readers to take away from it, Kaplan said, “A deeper understanding of what they can control, even in the face of adversity. We cannot always control the events that shape our lives, but we always have the power to choose how we respond, heal and move forward.”
The central takeaway, he said, is the message of resilience. “No matter how overwhelming the trauma, we have the potential to rise above it. I also hope readers walk away with a sense of unity—a reminder that, especially in times of great challenge, we are stronger when we come together. Through shared understanding and collective healing, we can help each other move forward, whether on a personal or societal level.”
Endorsed by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the book is dedicated to US Senator Joe Lieberman, who served as chairman of the foundation until his death in 2024.
“It is crucial for Oct. 7 survivors to have validation and historical documentation of the traumatic events they experienced, which is what Extreme Trauma provides,” said Dr. Hillel Glover, a psychiatrist specializing in the study and treatment of PTSD.
“Extreme Trauma should be required reading at every university to undo the propaganda against Israel, dispel the hate against innocent people, and expose the deep-seated evil many students are supporting on campuses,” he added.
The book is available on Amazon, with all profits supporting what Kaplan termed “unity-building initiatives in Israel.”