What We Carry: A Community Evening on Mental Health

Each summer, Jewish communities mark the Nine Days. It is a quiet time of reflection before Tisha B’Av. This year, JLIC Givat Shmuel/BIU and Mizrachi used that reflective spirit to host something different. On July 21, 2026, they held “What We Carry,” a community evening about mental health stigma. Rabbi Nadav and Yaffy Newman opened their home for the event. The evening was open to everyone in the community.

The evening began with a talk from Yael. She is finishing her degree in psychology. Yael explained what mental health stigma looks like. She talked about why it still surrounds mental illness today. Stigma has prevented a lot of people from getting help, she said. That kind of silence carries real dangers, she added. Her talk mixed her studies with her own thoughts. It set an open, thoughtful tone for the night.

Next, Ilana spoke. She is a decorated medic. She asked the room a simple question. Was anyone having an emotional crisis right now? No one raised a hand. Then Ilana shared something surprising. She said she herself was dealing with severe anxiety at that very moment. The room went quiet. Her message was clear. People rarely know what others are carrying inside. Ilana then opened up about her own struggles. Her honesty made room for real talk about hidden pain, strength, and kindness.

The night ended with a clay workshop led by Navah. No art experience was needed. Guests built small clay vessels with their own hands. Working the clay felt calming and grounding. It gave everyone a quiet way to sit with what they had just heard. One finished piece carried a simple message: “We all carry something.” That line became a fitting close to the evening. Every vessel had its own shape and its own cracks, just like every person carries a story others cannot see.

“What We Carry” brought together learning, honesty, and art in one room. During a season built for reflection, this evening gave the community something rare. It gave them a real conversation about mental health. Guests left with a better understanding of stigma. They also left with a reminder that kindness starts with noticing what others might be carrying quietly. The Nine Days already bring this community together every year. This evening added something new to that somber time, built on honesty instead of silence. Many left hoping that honesty would not end when the night did, but carry forward into everyday conversations.