‘The Show Across the Street’ and then some

Carol Davis

By Carol Davis

SAN DIEGO–The 17^th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Arts Festival: ‘A Joyous Celebration of Art and Soul’ spread its program across the June calendar offering a variety of art, dance, music and theatre. Here are some impressions of the programs yours truly was able to attend. 

The first offering, The Show Across the Street presented by Teatro Punto y Coma (a world premiere Jewish comedy in English) at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, Lyceum Space (where most programs were held) was presented early in June.

Billed as an attempt at creating an ‘unofficial’ sequel to Fiddler on the Roof, a Jewish Mexican -American theatre troupe gathers in an empty space (across the street from where a successful run of “Fiddler” is playing) to write a musical comedy about who and what the then characters in “Fiddler” might look like/ be like and act like now.

Written and directed by Robert Moutal and choreographed by Dalia Feldman, it is based on a story by Pepe Stepensky and stars no less than seven actors, all attempting (at various levels of competency) to write the new musical. Their input will be assembled and coordinated by director, Sam Rabinowitz (Solo Maya) who sold his worldly possessions to own this theatre across the street from ….

Rabinowitz, it is noted is a failed director. OY!

My understanding was that this was the first time it had been performed in English having been written in Spanish in the Teatro Punta y Coma style. To be honest, I might have enjoyed it more in Spanish; it might have liberated the actors.

On opening night, The Space was filled to capacity with supporters from the Ken Jewish Community. The Ken underwrote the show and from the responses of the audience, everyone seemed to be having a fun time. As for this reviewer’s reaction, it is my firm belief that some things just don’t translate well and some things get lost in translation. I couldn’t find much to laugh about when the rest of the audience did. I don’t think I’m the audience this company was reaching out to.

The company, hard as it tried, was all over the place working to come up with ideas for a sequel to “Fiddler” but ‘all the kings horses and all the king’s men’, the use of videos, cameras, music and dance (the best part of the evening) couldn’t put this Humpty Dumpty idea together again.

Might it be still be a work in progress?

I was able to get my fix of Yale Strom’s Klezmer and Hot P’Stromi music and John Malashock’s dance group with the presentation of “Malashock Dance with Yale Strom: Chagall” (a work in progress presented for the first time for this Festival and thoughtfully reviewed by dance critic Sheila Orysiek) following a wonderfully delightful feast of music and song with Elizabeth Schwartz and the Hot P’Stromi gang. The evening ended with pieces from Malashock’s “Tribes”. This complete dance program had a spectacular airing at the North Park Mary Birch Theatre in 1996.

Strom, who has been associated with the Jewish Arts Festival since its inception as a musician and composer, is a renowned expert on Klezmer music. He is always a welcome sight. His sounds resonate no matter if it’s Klezmer, accompanying Malashock or having his lovely Elizabeth singing in her own full, rich voice in Yiddish. (“Rozkinkes mit Mandln”… ‘Apricots and Almonds’ I believe he told me). It almost sounded like a lullaby to me. I love listening to Yiddish music. That was a treat.

I next headed north to the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach where they hosted two play readings. According to Artistic director, David Ellenstein, “The theatre is always pleased to host these readings”. For the past several years this theatre has been involved.

Mark Harelik’s The Immigrant is a finished play having been performed over the years at different venues. In 1993, Dan Wingard (son of one of our Women Of Valor recipients, Eileen) played the part of Haskell Harelik in The Immigrant. At the play reading, Mark read the part of his grandfather Haskell (name change to be sure) who arrived on the shores of Galveston, Texas in 1909.

If memory serves, the play has been updated since, with comments and photos from the playwright’s family collection. In the end Harelik then spoke as his father.

Harelik’s play is part memory, part tribute to his family and part valentine. The story he weaves about the immigrant who doesn’t speak a word of English, who chooses to stay as the only Jew in the community in the godforsaken gulf coast town of Hamilton, Texas, population 1,200 (then) to sell bananas from his push cart, who is helped by the (very convenient) town’s only banker and his wife and who becomes more assimilated as he grows his business, is a rags to riches story.

The account laced with bits of Jewish humor, history, some glossed over anti Semitism and coupled with a fortuitous encounter with the lone banker, Milton Perry (who helped finance Haskell’s business dealings) and his wife, is a tapestry of what life looked like for the immigrant Jews in the hinterlands at the turn of the century.

In fact, several of Harelik’s relatives still reside in Hamilton, Texas. All four of his uncles graduated high school in Hamilton and served in the different branches of the military during WW II.  Harelik’s Dad, who stayed behind after his brothers moved away, took over the family business and turned it into a bigger, more diversified department store where it stands today. His Dad passed away in 2007 well in to his nineties.

Steve Lipinsky directed The Immigrant with Harelik as Haskell, Linda Libby as his wife Leah, Richard Doyle as Milton Perry, (the bank owner) and Jennifer Parsons as Ima Perry. It was interesting to watch as the play progressed, all four growing older at play’s end and that’s without a stitch of a makeup change. It’s called great acting.

One of the most impressive parts of the evening that struck me more that anything was the family photo collection.  At first glance, I felt I was having a Fiddler On the Roof moment when the show opened with ethnic music in the background, pictures of pogroms and shtetls in Russia and finally early century authentic scenes from Hamilton County, TX.

If the play ever comes back, I recommend you see it. I’m guessing we all have those stories. Harelik just put them to paper.

Lionel Goldstein’s Mandate Memories (He’s looking for a new title) is definitely a work in progress. Director David Ellenstein told the audience that we were the first and only audience to hear this play as it is, so far. Goldstein, who has collaborated with Ellenstein in the past (Halpern and Johnson a comedy drama about love, truth and memories), wrote the play as a sort of rebuttal to the anti Semitism so rampant in the London press and BBC in general and to British playwright Caryl Churchill in particular.

Churchill’s Seven Jewish Children, A Play for Gaza, written in 2009 in response to the bombing of Gaza, is a ten minute play that lasts a lifetime in the minds and hearts of Jews everywhere who firmly believe Churchill is not only anti Semitic but anti Israel. The play was reviewed by yours truly (in July of 2009) after having attended a program at the now defunct 6^th @ Penn Theatre called the Resilience Festival. The companion piece to “Children” was called Welcome to Ramallah by Sonja Linden and Adah Kay. 

At the time Churchill wrote Seven Jewish Children, playwright Israel Horowitz wrote What Strong Fences Make advocating that one could criticize Israel without being anti Semitic just as one could criticize Palestine without being anti Arab. He goes on: “Those who criticize Jews in the name of criticizing Israel, as Ms. Churchill seems to have done in her play, step over an unacceptable boundary and must be taken to task”)

Goldstein’s play is loaded with a combination of ideas, tutorials and wandering thoughts. If it is in fact a rebuttal to Churchill (which one would never know unless one read the playwright’s notes and or knew about Caryl Churchill) he goes about it in such a convoluted way that makes it too wordy, instructive to an historical point and too wandering. And why does it need to be a rebuttal? The story, once edited and complete, should stand on its own.

His characters, June Stirling (Rosina Reynolds) is a 62 year old ‘once widowed, once divorced homemaker and Gustav Frolich (Robert Grossman), an eighty something year old survivor’ of the camps meet up one sunny day at Stirling’s English countryside home. They have never met before and it is at his request, under the guise of his having a letter for her that he has come to deliver, she allows him in to her home.

She is curious, polite and a bit turned off by the intrusion. He is an arrogant, evasive and skilled storyteller who beats around the bush at every question she asks while attempting to get his story out. We learn about his background, his Holocaust experience, his being in Israel (Palestine) at the time the British were in charge, and his fighting for the Irgun (they called it a terrorist origination). All this exposition comes with a history lesson like a schoolteacher teaching a class to one of his students.

But the bait that keeps him there is the letter he claims he has along with the stories he tells about her deceased father, a British officer who was minding the store for England even after the Balfour Declaration was signed. The history lesson (all can be found on line) in essence allowed for the establishment in Palestine for a homeland for the Jewish people does bring a rise in her but is quelled by more stories of her father.

Her birth father, it is revealed, died before she was born and she was curious to learn more about him and how he died. So much of his telling felt like a never-ending odyssey. By the time he finally got to the nitty gritty of his what he was all about, my mind was wandering.

Underneath all the talk is a lovely story of redemption, forgiveness, truth and coming to terms with one’s self. It is a combination Holocaust tale without being a Holocaust story. It is a story of forgiveness without asking for outright exoneration; it is a story of truth told in a way that we know truth exists inside as well as outside.

Mandate Memories is a humbling and inspiring look into a proud people who have suffered, caused suffering and are now looking to make peace. And it is the beginning process of a new play. Both Reynolds and Grossman make it seem real. Hopefully Goldstein will take some of the suggestions given at the talk back (after the reading) and work some of them in while cutting some of the original to give it a bit more viability for a commercial success. 

The Klezmer Summit (with free Knishes) on June 21^st at 7:30 at the San Diego Repertory Theatre wraps up the Festivities.

Se you at the theatre.

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Theatre critic Davis is based in San Diego

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, June 25, 1954, Part 3

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

Letter to the Editor

Dear Mr. Kaufman

Thos of us who attended the Israeli Day Celebration at Tifereth Israel Synagogue were very much impressed by the speaker, General Eliahu Ben-Hur and the supporting program.

I wish to express my deepest appreciation to those persons who helped plan and organize the program.  It isn’t necessary to mention names—the list would be too long but those who helped will know that their efforts were greatly appreciated.

It is regrettable that so many people whose help was solicited are so completely indifferent to the progress of Israel and to the work being carried on in this country to help promoted that progress, that they feel annoyed and imposed upon when their help in promoting one Israeli celebration per year is requested.

Indifference to a program is a personal matter and not especially regrettable but indifference to the entire question of aid to Israel is one on which considerable confusion appears to exist.  So many of us who consider ourselves good Jews and identify ourselves with the Jewish community as a whole, yet reject so much that is basic in Jewish life.

Perhaps it is first necessary for each of us to determine the basic reason for our personal identification with Judaism. I strongly suspect the reason is the same for all of us although a great many reasons are expressed by many people.  It seems to me that the reason we Jews cling so tenaciously to Judaism is that it answeres our individual need to belong to a group I which we are wholly accepted and needed.

For so many generations, small Jewish groups have been scattered throughout the world. No matter where they were, they always felt their Judaism was oriented towards Israel.  If we reject this orientation, we reject our affiliations with Judaism as a whole.

Let us hope that in the future we will be able to work together at least in commemorating the one great Jewish achievement of our time, the establishment of the State of Israel.

Cordially,
Fred Yaruss, Chairman
S.D. Zionist Council

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{Editor Mac Kaufman replies}
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

In a letter printed elsewhere on this page, the chairman of the Zionist Council bemoans the fact that people are indifferent to celebrations marking the anniversaries of the State of Israel.  He also accuses people of being confused as to their loyalties I Jewish life. In doing so, he makes two amazing statements.

He states, “It seems to me that the reason we Jews cling so tenaciously to our Judaism is that it answers our individual need to belong to a group in which we are wholly accepted and needed.” The chairman obviously has missed the entire point regarding Jewish religious survival for the past 200 years. It didn’t answer any individual need—to be hounded, tortured, burned at the stake, and ostracized.  Jews didn’t decide to belong to any group, there was o questioning they were Jews and lived and died for their religious beliefs.

We again quote, “For so many generations, small Jewish groups have been scattered through the world, no matter where they were, they always felt that their Judaism was oriented toward Israel.  If we reject this orientation, we reject our affiliation with Judaism as a whole.”

Does the chairman of the Zionist Council really mean that Jews living in other lands, who do not look toward Israel as the fountain head of their religion and spiritual life are not Jews?  As far as American Jews are concerned, I suspect that we will survive and continue to expand the influence of Judaism among our people without dropping our interest in Israel as a state.  Of course we are concerned for her welfare. That’s why we contribute so much money.  Of course we will continue to use our influence to defend and help her – but please, Mr. chairman, don’t tell us we are not good Jews if we are not oriented toward Israel. It’s too bad that more Zionists don’t go to Synagogue to see the increased religious sensitivities among Jews of all ages.  It would show them that Judaism need not be centered in any one country or state.

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Jews in American History
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

By Dr. Philip L. Seman, University of Judaism

When John Brown set out to free the slaves he was accompanied by three Jews who had come from parts of Europe where the Jews were still suppressed and persecuted in a state comparable to that of the slaves in America. One of these men was Theodore Weiner, who had come from Poland, the second was Jacob Bernstein, born in Bohemia, and the third, August Bondy, came from Vienna.

They had settled in Kansas and it seemed to them the most natural thing I the world that the slaves should be freed and given equal rights. This, however, did not seem so to their neighbors, who proceeded to burn down Weiner’s barn; such incidents happened to many who were actively involved in anti-slavery activities.

These three Jews were amazed and dismayed.  They understood they had let themselves in for a considerable amount of trouble. They had come from countries where they had been less than slaves, to a country where they were considered free and equal citizens.  However, there seemed to be a condition attached to this new status of equality.  The condition was that they should refrain from thinking that everybody else in the country should be free and equal too.  If they continued to have such ideas, they were bound to suffer.

There was still time to back out, but somehow these Jews could not do so, even though they were not at all the fighting type.  They were peaceful citizens, men who wanted to work and live quietly.  They had no desire to go to war, to spend their nights in the field, to ambush their opponents, much less kill them.  They had even less taste for revolt, and they were grateful that they had been taken in. To be sure, they worked hard and took care of themselves, so that they were on burden to their country. But they felt that perhaps, it was not the right thing for men who had so recently become Americans to tell other Americans what to do.  It was, perhaps, tactless—and this was not to speak of the dangers involved, personal, physical dangers in case of a revolt and the danger of their social position in general. They were practical men, they were realists and for a long time they told themselves that the thing to do was to be silent and to do nothing. If the Americans wanted to keep a part of their own people in slavery that was their business.

But in spite of such reflections, in spite of all their practical deliberations, their feelings that the slave question was their business grew stronger and stronger within them. Besides, the fact that they themselves had escaped by coming to this country imposed upon them a moral obligation, a definite duty to help others in their fight for liberation. That is why they joined John Brown, a man who was regarded by many as a revolutionary and of a very dubious character.  They joined him even though they were somewhat uncertain of their ability to do actual fighting. They joined him because they could not do otherwise. (To be continued).

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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant

School’s Out – Perhaps you heard the same hurried footsteps and the shouts of youngsters that I heard the other day. You might have wondered, as I did, what caused the happy and almost frantic running and shouting. A glance at the desk calendar soon gave me the answer. There was a very good reason for the children’s glee.

With the closing of schools for the summer months, new problems confront teachers, parents, and even the children. Most teachers find that they must either take courses during the summer in order to meet credential requirements, to complete preparations for advanced degrees, or to qualify for salary increases, or must find some work during what should be their vacation period in order to supplement an inadequate salary.

Parents, too, are perplexed as to how to handle the situation of having their youngsters literally under their feet for five or six additional hours of the day. Some overcome the problem by sending their children away to camp for weeks at a time or to day camp.  Others find that they can take a few hours a day for their own vacations by spending the time at the beach. Still others use the time to visit relatives, take motor trips as a family unit to places of interest, or stock the car or trailer with needed equipment and go off to some restful area for camping.

Finally, the children have a problem. At last they have an opportunity to sleep late, to stay up a little later before going to bed, to play in the neighborhood as much as they’d like and to go to the movies more often than on Saturday afternoons. But all that is interesting for about a week and then the sudden change has its reactions.  Unless there is a plan of activity, boredom sets in.

Some children find summer school attendance a satisfaction instead of a chore. Although many attend in order to make up for a scholastic deficiency, an equal number go to participate in advanced courses or recreational programs such as arts and crafts or music. Others find the courses conducted by the zoo or museum of great interest. Still others take part in recreational activities conducted by the city recreation department, while some attend day camps sponsored by community centers.

School’s Out may be a problem to teachers, parents and children but they are problems that can be, and are, solved by most.  However, where there is no planning there is little enjoyment of what should be a time for fun, education and relaxation.

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From Where I Sit
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

By Mel Goldberg

It seems a shame that the U.S. Government doesn’t take advantage of its best resource for a security checking board. We refer to an examination team that would be made up of nice little old Jewish grandmothers… Let them examine a doubtful witness as they would a chicken—and we guarantee that if the person in question ate Russian dressing on a salad in 1944, they’d detect it quicker than all of McCarthy’s assistants. … Just consider Grandma’s qualifications…. What inquisitions those poor ole chickens had to go through before Grandma tabbed ‘em okeh for human consumption.

The gizzard and liver inspection was a probe more detailed than an autopsy conducted under the personal supervision of the Mayo Brothers … Heaven forbid, the chicken should have had a slight bruise—then the poultry man, “That terrible goniff,” was plotting to poison us by the most heinous of methods … ah, those were the days! …The worst task that could confront a “modern” grandchild was to assist Grandma shopping… To accompany her to a store selling fruit or baked goods was a horrifying experience. Each roll or peach represented an individual challenge. It had to be felt, scrutinized and squeezed thoroughly … This was the original “third degree.”

The dirty looks of the disconcerted storekeeper meant absolutely nothing in Grandma’s eyes… Small merchants were a world apart, and represented a highly organized movement to separate the poor housewife from her money with shoddy merchandise at inflated prices. Grandma didn’t need any such thing as a government price control on commodities… every purchase was followed by the same familiar tune, that ran something like this –“What do you mean you want five dollars for it?  Can’t you take four?  It can buy it by Feinbaum down the street for that.”
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The audience at the Wednesday Club recital of Cantor Cysner could not help but marvel; at the agility of the custodian there, 94-year-old John Olson. Mr.Olson tends the grounds, stacks the chairs, etc., and even looks after the trash cans of neighbors in the area. The irony of the story is – when Mr. Olson came to San Diego 21 years ago and applied for a similar club at the Thursday Club, he was turned down because he was “too old!” 

Emmanuel Mayer, a former San Diegan, who now resides near Guadelajara, Mexico, is spending a few months here.  According to him, the weather in that section of Mexico makes our local climate look pretty foul. Until we talked with Mayer, we had felt sorry for the people who live in the rest of the U.S.  He’s sorry for us so we don’t know who’s sorry for who now!

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Joe Weiss heard about a sword swallower who choked to death.  He wasn’t “fixed for blades.” … Julius Monteer’s definition of an optimist:  A man who is 85 years of age contemplates marriage and insists upon looking for an apartment near a public school… Wonder how Jack Tenney can twist this around: Two prominent members of the Los Angeles Jewish community—Arthur A. Dresser, an attorney, and Harold B. Garfield, a  member of the California State Board of Pharmacy – have presented a 100-acre campus site, secured by them at a cost of $400,000 to the proposed new Baptist University of San Fernando Valley.

One of the alleged problems in San Diego is the social life of the young single Jewish adult. Frankly, we can’t see any great problems involved with the young adults … When we say young—we mean just that—and not our good friends, who like the writer, clutch to the creeping years and prefer to forget the last six, eight, and in some cases, ten birthdays… Many women in this older age group face a terrific problem in locating a suitable Jewish social group with which to affiliate…. Frequently limited finances prevent their aligning themselves with a religious organization’s clubs – and those who must work for a living, as most of these folks do, cannot link themselves with the luncheon meeting, mah-jong playing type of group. This is a problem that could be alleviated by some concerted planning during the summer months.

As  to the social problems of the young single adult: If the guys would stop thinking that they are Heaven’s gift to women available in human form, and if the girls would realize that they are not Marilyn Monroesteins in any shape—for certain, or manner, and if in addition to this both sexes would “do” a little “doing” in the existent organizations, the bored ones would have a lot less to grouse about … We’re fixin’ to hear a lot of criticism on our philosophy and we’ll be happy to discuss the subject at greater length.

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Institute to be Held by Hospital Council
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 4

The Hospital Council of San Diego County and the California Hospital Association will co-sponsor a Hospital Public Relations Institute in San Diego on Friday, July 9, 1954.  Louis Peelyon, President of the Hospital Council and Administrator of Grossmont Hospital, announced.

The Institute is one of a series to be held throughout the State and is conducted under the auspices of the Council of Public Education, California Hospital Association.

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Double Talk
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 5

By Janet and Susan Solof.

Hi All!

Quite a number of our gals and guys received honors and scholarships at the recent graduations of the different high schools. Some of these include Elaine Burdman and Eileen Rivers receiving the student faculty scholarship, Elana Barach with a scholarship to Milwaukee Donner College, Judy Yukon a scholarship to University of California, Gloria Abrahamson, B’nai B’rith Youth of the year award, Sigmond Ohrback, outstanding grades, Ed Ruskin received the honor of Boys highest scholastic grades, Lawrence Schiller, a scholarship to Pepperdine College and Dan Schaffer a scholarship to Harvard University. Congrats to you all for your outstanding work.

Heading Wilson Jr. High School’s student government for next year is Phil Brenes who was recently elected President of the school. Gold luck, Phil.

Vacationing in L.A. for fun and business were Janet Solof and Luanne Blumberg who was sent as representatives to the Red Cross Convention as officers of the Jr. Red Cross.

On her way to Girl’s State is Sherry Newman and from there to the University of Denver for the summer.

Lenny Weiss, Larry Cahan, Myron Shapiro and Steve Kirchtel motored to New York for the summer and Gary Chenkin is leaving for Mexico City.

Ellen Goldstein is spending the entire summer touring Europe. Also Henrietta and Bobby Faguet.

“Sharing the fun of being sweet sixteen is not half so great as experiencing it yourself.”  My sister Janet quoted these words after a lovely dinner given at the San Diego Club for the Sweet Sixteen birthday. Many of her friends shared the thrill with her. She was honored at a surprise beach party given by her school friends.

Sixteenth birthdays seem to be in style and a pretty good style at that. Adrienne Sachnoff as she celebrated her sixteenth birthday in real style with a lovely luncheon at Town and Country Club with a group of her many friends. Best wishes, Adrienne.

“That’s what I call fun” were the remarks made after Morton Cohn’s terrific party. A bar-b-que and dancing made the party complete.

Leani Leichtag entertained her friends with a beautiful party. The gang swam, ate and danced and had fun.

Among those who invaded our fair city, returning from college are Esther Lustig, Gary Breitbard, Burt Sharp, Linda Solof, Larry Solomon, Roslyn Burdman, Sam Sosna, Jean Goldstein.

Have a wonderful vacation and phone your news to CY-5-0679.

Money Still Talks
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 25, 1954, Page 5

An angry man should count to ten before he speaks – if his wife is angry he should count out ten and let them speak for him.
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“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history. 

Action, rather than coping techniques, helped MS patients during Second Lebanon War

HAIFA (Press Release)–Multiple sclerosis patients who directly confronted the stress of the Second Lebanon War suffered fewer attacks than those who chose to cope with the situation by focusing on feelings. This has been shown in a new study carried out by researchers of the University of Haifa, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Carmel Medical Center.

“Because there is no cure for multiple sclerosis to date, it is important to uncover all the factors that impact the recurrence of attacks,” said Prof. Eli Somer of the University of Haifa, one of the authors of the study.

 The study, which Prof. Somer carried out alongside Dr. Daniel Golan, Sara Dishon, Limor Cuzin-Disegni and Dr. Idit Lavi of Carmel Medical Center and Prof. Ariel Miller of the Technion, examined how MS patients living in the north of Israel coped during the Second Lebanon War.

The results of the first stage of the study, which were recently published in the scientific journal Multiple Sclerosis, revealed that the ongoing stress of the war increased the number of MS attacks in patients who were exposed to rocket fire. The current stage of the study has examined 156 patients who have undergone regular therapy at the Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Carmel Medical Center and who were living in the attacked north of Israel during the war.

The results have shown that patients who chose to use “direct coping and planning” to counter the stress factor – by preparing the shelter or protected area, stocking up on food and medications, adjusting their medical appointment schedule, and the like – suffered significantly less exacerbation of MS symptoms than patients who chose to cope with the situation on an emotional level, with relaxation techniques, requesting emotional support, or prayer.

“Patients who focused their coping on emotional wellbeing when a more direct approach was necessary, suffered more flare-ups of the disease than patients who identified the challenges that the falling missiles were presenting, and regarded the situation as an opportunity for planning and direct action,” Prof. Somer noted.

The study has also found that women with MS tended to turn to emotional support, religion and willfully diverting thoughts more than men. Nevertheless, there was no difference between the numbers of men and women who chose “direct coping and planning”.

“Coping directly is how a person takes real action in order to change an unwanted situation. Multiple sclerosis patients who chose to view the war as a controllable situation that requires action, instead of seeing it as an uncontrollable threat, suffered fewer attacks of the disease,” said Prof. Somer, adding that now it is necessary to investigate whether the acquisition of psychological coping skills can stall the progression of this disease.

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Preceding provided by University of Haifa