Between Past and Present: Examining the Experience and Coping of Holocaust Survivors in Old Age in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Iron Swords War

In recent years, Israeli society has faced two significant crises that have particularly affected the elderly population: the COVID-19 pandemic and the "Iron Swords" war. With the outbreak of the pandemic, the elderly were classified as a high-risk group for severe illness and even death. Alongside the recovery from the changes caused by COVID-19, the "Iron Swords" war erupted in October 2023, where the State of Israel is fighting against terrorist organizations with a murderous ideology. This war is still ongoing and has had a severe impact on the general public, particularly the elderly.

The ongoing confrontation with various crises in the lives of Holocaust survivors has exacted a psychological toll throughout their lifetimes. On the one hand, some Holocaust survivors reported high levels of anxiety, while on the other hand, others exhibited vulnerability alongside mental resilience when facing crises. In light of this complexity, the current study seeks to expand knowledge about the coping mechanisms of Holocaust survivors in their old age, focusing on their experiences in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the "Iron Swords" war.

The research was conducted using a qualitative method, with 15 Holocaust survivors from across the country participating. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed, resulting in three central themes: "The Experience of Identity Among Holocaust Survivors in Israel", "Holocaust Survivors’ Coping with Holocaust Memories Over Time: Vulnerability and Resilience" and "Beyond Time: Resilience and Vulnerability in Holocaust Survivors Facing Contemporary Crises" 

The first theme focuses on the identity experience of Holocaust survivors in Israel, examining how the makeup of their identity developed both within society and in their self-perception. The second theme explores how Holocaust survivors have coped with their memories of the Holocaust over the years in relation to Israel’s security reality. The security reality in Israel has facilitated the processing of these experiences and influenced the shaping of coping mechanisms. The third theme describes the encounter of Holocaust survivors with contemporary crises, highlighting that the way they dealt with past experiences and the trauma of the Holocaust impacts their coping strategies with COVID-19 and the ongoing war in the present.

The discussion chapter presents the significance of the research findings in light of the existing theoretical and research literature on the topic, as well as the conclusions derived from their integration. The trauma of the Holocaust experienced by the research participants was present in all themes, with their coping mechanisms leading to the coexistence of vulnerability and resilience. Thus, the processing of Holocaust experiences continues to be a significant and central dimension in the lives of survivors even in their old age. Accordingly, their ability to deal with current challenges is largely derived from the internalization of the traumas they experienced, the coping mechanisms they adopted, and the perspectives they developed in their past. An important and significant conclusion that emerged is that the existence of resilience does not imply the absence of vulnerability, and coping mechanisms can be broadly interpreted as expressions of both vulnerability and resilience—a phenomenon that has its roots in the self-definition of Holocaust survivors as survivors.

This research makes a unique contribution by focusing on the experiences of Holocaust survivors in late old age. Theoretically, it deepens the understanding of the impact of past traumas, particularly the Holocaust, on the sense of vulnerability and resilience in old age. Using Kohut's (1971) self-psychology theory, the research offers a broad interpretation of the concepts of vulnerability and resilience. The relevance of the study is heightened against the backdrop of the "Iron Swords" war, which has become a central trigger for renewed coping with past traumas for Holocaust survivors.

Practically, the research highlights the importance of providing tailored therapeutic interventions for Holocaust survivors in their old age, particularly in light of their ongoing struggles with trauma. It is suggested that therapeutic methods based on empathy, understanding, and deep listening to their inner world, such as Kohutian therapy, can help restore survivors’ sense of self and strengthen their mental resilience.

The study offers insights that can serve as a basis for further research on trauma and resilience among other populations. It creates a framework for analyzing the experiences of Holocaust survivors in broader trauma-related contexts, enabling the generalization of its findings to other populations dealing with the consequences of trauma in old age. The application of these findings in future studies could expand knowledge about mental resilience in extreme life situations, such as wars, pandemics, or natural disasters.