Trauma does not discriminate. It does not hold a specific political ideology, and it does not observe religious borders. Whether walking through the deeply religious streets of a Haredi neighborhood in Bnei Brak or sitting in the quiet communal dining hall of a secular kibbutz, child vulnerability is a universal human experience. It is the thread that connects every corner of our diverse society.
Yet, for too long, the approach to protecting our children has looked past this reality. At ELI – Israel Association for Child Protection, we have learned a fundamental, sometimes uncomfortable truth: while the pain of a child is universal, child protection cannot be a “one size fits all”.
Historically, different sectors of Israeli society have retreated into cultural isolation when faced with the pain of abuse. In tightly-knit traditional communities, there is often an intense pressure to protect the community’s reputation, leading to internal mechanisms that mask the crisis. In secular spaces, a hyper-reliance on institutional solutions can inadvertently alienate families who fear being judged by societal standards.
The Myth of Immunity
The greatest obstacle to protecting our children is the myth of immunity. This potential denial cuts across every demographic. It manifests as a powerful desire among families to hide what is deeply embarrassing or painful, leaving the child completely isolated in their trauma.
If we treat every community with the exact same playbook, we fail. A secular public service announcement will trigger immediate walls of defense in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood. Conversely, an intervention model built on traditional leadership will fail to resonate in a secular environment.
To break the cycle, we must lean into “cultural fluency.” This does not mean compromising on a child’s safety or lowering our standards of protection. Rather, it means developing specialized, tailor-made programs that respect the internal codes, language, and sensitivities of diverse patient populations.
Building Culturally Fluent Safety Nets
At ELI, achieving this fluency means meeting people exactly where they are. In Haredi sectors, it means working quietly alongside trusted community leaders and rabbis to integrate safety language into concepts of shmirat haguf (guarding the body). It means honoring familial structures while firmly prioritizing the child’s physical and emotional security.
By acknowledging our shared vulnerability, we remove the weapon of stigma. When a community realizes that abuse is a human crisis rather than a failure unique to their culture, the walls of defensive silence begin to crumble.
We must give every Israeli child the language to speak up, but we must also give the adults around them a culturally appropriate way to listen. Look closely, listen fiercely, and accept that no community is immune. Our children’s futures depend entirely on our willingness to build bridges of trust, unique to every neighborhood, across Israel.
Eran Zimrin is the CEO of ELI – Israel Association for Child Protection, founded in 1979 to prevent and treat child abuse in Israel. To learn more or support our mission, visit eli-usa.org.
Source:
www.jpost.com
