Intergenerational Trauma in Times of Crisis: Echoes of the Holocaust in the Present

Our son was called up on October 7th as were over 360,000 other brave IDF reserve and 170,000 enlisted soldiers. During his first break for Shabbat, he shared, “I was lying in a field at night and felt that history was repeating itself. The Shoah, which was so distant in time to me, seems to be merging with the present. Like your parents and grandparents, we are again in an ongoing fight for our survival.”

For almost two years, those living in Israel and others connected to Israel while living in the Diaspora, have been navigating a prolonged sense of existential danger. The kidnapping and the reports of the raping and killing of Israeli hostages, ongoing terrorism, plus the constant sirens and missile fire have left many feeling dysregulated, anxious, and hypervigilant. For individuals with intergenerational trauma, particularly second and third generation children of Holocaust survivors, the traumas of the present often trigger responses that are deeply rooted in the past.

As a clinician, I have witnessed a significant increase of distress among this unique population. People who are typically grounded and resilient, report experiencing surges of anxiety, helplessness, intrusive thoughts, and symptoms of disassociation. For some, the traumatic feelings are so powerful that they find themselves unsure whether they are reacting to the present threat or to something older, and harder to name.

This is the domain of intergenerational trauma.

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma responses from one generation to future generations including patterns of coping and survival strategies. In the case of children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, trauma may have been communicated not only through shared or unspoken stories but through the emotional messages communicated in the home including generalized fear, silence, secrecy, overprotection, familial dysfunction and vigilance.

Growing up in such an environment can often lead to an internalized sense that the world is unsafe and that catastrophe is just around the corner. While these beliefs may lie dormant in times of relative calm with many survivors and their offspring leading successful and productive lives, these painful feelings may be reactivated in moments of real threat, such as the current war. The nervous system, shaped by both personal and inherited experiences, responds as if history is repeating itself.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to Holocaust survivor families. There are similar patterns in descendants of other genocide survivors, refugees who flee oppressive regimes and those raised in families shaped by collective trauma. In Israel today, with Holocaust memory infused into the cultural and national identity, the catastrophic feelings of second and third generation survivors are particularly acute. When the external world once again feels unsafe and unpredictable, internal survival models inherited from the practices of earlier generations can become activated.

In Jewish communities outside of Israel, public expressions of antisemitism and anti-Zionism can also trigger similar feelings of insecurity and danger for survivor families. Today I spoke with Sophie, a mental health professional and a member of the second generation who lives in the United States. When I asked her how she has been feeling emotionally since October 7th she replied, “I have been feeling anxious and intermittently relieved that I am living in the US. Then I spiral into thinking that it is not as safe for me and my family as it once was. My parents would be horrified that the America where they fled and rebuilt their lives, no longer exists. The dream has shattered.”

Many survivors taught their children that they should be vigilant in protecting themselves and be aware of danger in their surroundings. I recently spoke to Chana, a child of survivors who said that, “Since October 7th, I have been more focused on self-care and protecting myself from exposure to the news or videos depicting the horrors of that day and every day that has followed. Just by living in Israel through the war, I still end up absorbing more than my fragile heart can handle.”

For clinicians working with this population, it is essential to consider both the present danger and the historical echoes. The intensity of emotional response may reflect not only current stress but also inherited feelings shaped by real, life-threatening trauma.

Therapeutic approaches that can be helpful include:

Psychoeducation: Helping clients understand the concept of intergenerational trauma can foster relief and help normalize their feelings. Many clients feel shame about being “too sensitive” or “overreactive.” Acknowledging the intergenerational layer can reduce self-blame.

Somatic interventions: Trauma, as well as inherited trauma, is often held in the body. Modalities such as somatic experiencing, EFT tapping, EMDR therapy or grounding techniques can help restore a sense of release and understanding.

Narrative and meaning-making: Exploring family history, even when it had not been earlier shared, can be empowering. Reflecting on these stories can help people gain insight into the roots of their past behaviors.

Integration of present and past: Therapists can help clients differentiate between what is happening now and what is being activated from the past, while also respecting that both are real and valid experiences.

If you find yourself struggling with overwhelming fear, helplessness, or a sense of disconnection during this time, know that you are not alone. Your reactions may make more sense than you realize. Especially if you are the child or grandchild of survivors, your nervous system may be carrying traces of their trauma, even unspoken.

You may need a space to explore these responses with compassion and curiosity. Some of what you are feeling may belong to a larger intergenerational story. Therapy can help restore an awareness of what could be contributing to your present emotional world and help you explore ways to feel safer and build the capacity for self-compassion.