Antisemitism and “Traumatic Invalidation” After October 7th
Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, many Jewish people have experienced not only shock and grief, but also something more hidden: the pain of having their distress minimized, dismissed, or even blamed on them.
In June 2025, the Times of Israel reported on the work of Boston-area trauma therapists Miri Bar-Halpern and Jaclyn Wolfman, who introduced the term “traumatic invalidation” to describe this experience .
What is “Traumatic Invalidation”?
In psychology, “traumatic invalidation” happens when someone’s pain is denied, minimized, or treated as unworthy of care. Instead of receiving empathy, individuals are met with silence, dismissal, or blame.
Bar-Halpern and Wolfman applied this to the rising antisemitism that many Jews faced post–October 7th. People reported:
Having their fear or grief dismissed by friends, coworkers, or community groups
Being told they were “overreacting” to antisemitism
Experiencing exclusion or blame when they sought comfort or solidarity
Why It Hurts So Deeply
Invalidation adds another layer of harm on top of an already painful event. Research shows it can worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. When Jewish identity and pain are dismissed in this way, it creates isolation and compounds trauma.
Why Naming It Matters
As the therapists in the article shared, many people felt a sense of relief just having a term for their experience. Naming “traumatic invalidation” allows individuals to understand that what they went through was real, damaging, and not their fault .
The Role of Therapy
While therapy can’t change social conditions or erase antisemitism, it can:
Provide a safe space where Jewish identity and grief are honored
Help process the distress of being dismissed by peers or systems
Offer coping strategies for navigating ongoing uncertainty and hostility
Rebuild trust in one’s own experiences and emotions
In the wake of October 7th, many Jewish individuals have not only struggled with grief and fear, but with being silenced or invalidated when they voiced that pain. This blog is about antisemitism and the psychological toll of traumatic invalidation. If this resonates with you, know that your experience is valid, and support is available.