Reflections from Israel: An Interview with Seth Cohen
On March 19, our Federation is hosting Mission to Israel: Local Perspectives. We will hear the experiences of several community members who went on recent solidarity mission trips to Israel. One of our featured speakers is Dr. Seth Cohen, Professor and Associate Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for the Duke Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences. We asked him a few questions about his experience traveling with American Healthcare Professionals and Friends for Medicine in Israel. (Photo credits: Seth Cohen)
The “Cemetery of Cars".” These are the remnants of the shot and burnt cars of people who tried to flee from Hamas terrorists on October 7.
Q: Why did you decide to travel to Israel at this time?
Since October 7, I have felt heart broken, sad, and angry, among other emotions. I came across this medical Solidarity Mission to Israel when looking for a way to show my support and love for Israel and to contribute in any way I could. I also wanted to support my friends and colleagues as well as my son and his Year Course Young Judaea Gap Year program. As many Israelis who shared their stories with us said, Oct 7 and the aftermath is a Jewish story.
Exhibit about hostages in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv.
Q: What was one memorable experience you had on this mission trip?
My morning at Rabin Medical Center was very memorable. After a talk I gave, I shared some pictures of some Raleigh community events in support of Israel and know that my audience was genuinely appreciative of the Raleigh community’s actions. I was also privileged to consult on a hospital patient with two Jewish ear, nose, and throat doctors and two Arab speech-language pathologists, a typical collaboration in Israel of which the world is sadly unaware.
Q: What is one thing you want people to understand about the conditions in Israel right now?
I heard many stories, such as ones from a survivor of Kibbutz Be’eri, an evacuee living in a hotel, a Sderot police officer who battled Hamas in the station, healthcare workers who had family and friends killed or taken hostage, and the mother who left her three crying children alone in a shelter while she went to care for the citizens of Ramat Gan. Through listening to these stories, you realize the pervasive impact of October 7 throughout Israeli society, but also the resilience of the Israeli people. I will also never forget the urging from the Be’eri survivor to Israel and to the greater Jewish community, to be “united not in the hate of Haman but the love of Mordecai.”
CLICK HERE to register for “Mission to Israel: Local Perspectives.”