“The life work of Myra Giberovitch finds expression in this valuable work infused with wisdom and insight. Myra is a professional (social work) and a daughter of parents who survived Auschwitz, Gross Rosen and Dachau. Raised by survivor-parents within a community of survivors, she knows of what she speaks. And thankfully she speaks not only of the damage inflicted through relentless and prolonged cruelty but also of the courage and strength demonstrated by so many Holocaust survivors in reclaiming a life of normality. In fact, she demonstrates that suffering and coping can indeed exist side by side and that understanding and respectful listening can be helpful to those who live life daily in the shadow of a tragic past. This astonishing work reflects a vast experience and provides a framework for those who work with ageing Holocaust survivors as well as victims of contemporary genocides. It is a gift.”
Robert Krell
Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia and
Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association
“Myra Giberovitch has written a unique contribution to the body of literature on the survivors of the Holocaust. Her ethnographic approach to the long-term effects of genocidal trauma combines the research with years of academic, clinical, and community social work practice, and imbues both with the personal passion and insight of the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Recovering from Genocidal Trauma offers a bold and comprehensive understanding of survivors that will provide new insights for genocide scholars and health and social service agencies, as well as family members.”
Paula David
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
“Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is a remarkable book that not only honours and pays tribute to the voices and experiences of Holocaust survivors, but also highlights their capacities and immense contributions to contemporary society. Breaking the conspiracy of silence surrounding trauma and aging, this moving and thought-provoking book provides powerful insights that are of deep relevance to practitioners and survivors of genocidal trauma around the globe.”
Myriam Denov
James McGill Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University
“Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is a unique contribution to the literature on the practical provision of services for the ageing Holocaust survivor. Myra Giberovitch’s familiarity and personal experience is of enormous benefit in a manual like this.”
Clare Paine
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Director of the Psychological Trauma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital
“More and more survivors of atrocities are seeking help through health care and social service agencies in Canada, and social work and health care providers need to understand better how to service these people. Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is a much-needed book that looks at the effects of trauma on people who have experienced atrocities and war. Clearly written and practical in its content, it offers a wealth of knowledge for academics, practitioners, students, and community leaders.”
Linda Kreitzer
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
“Well written, broad in scope, and extremely thorough, Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is an impressive book that contributes to the body of knowledge regarding practice with survivors of mass atrocity and trauma, especially ageing Holocaust survivors and their children.”
Sophie Yohani
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta
Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is included in a collection of 100 Great Books for the Social Worker’s Library. This list of books covers a broad spectrum of topics and provides information helpful to any social worker in their career. From general social work practice to motivational interviewing and methods for working with specific populations, @MSWPrograms believes these books belong on every well-versed social worker’s shelf.
Carol Bradford
@MSWPrograms
” This is an extraordinary book. Using evidence based practice combined with years of practice wisdom; the author discusses both thought-provoking research and provides concrete tools in working with aging Holocaust survivors as well as survivors of more recent genocides. The literature emphasizes the need for empathetic listening skills. This book validates the experiences of many trauma survivors and their families and is also extremely helpful to healthcare and social service providers.”
Arielle Gottesman, BSW. MSW.
Case Manager, Cummings Centre, Montreal
“Recovering from Genocidal Trauma is a masterfully written and comprehensive work. It elaborates the fine points of trauma and draws from the author’s life experiences in working with Holocaust Survivors. Built on a strong social work foundation, the skills of a social service provider underline the message of “transcending victimization through empowerment, it dispels the myths, misconceptions and misdiagnosis surrounding PTSD and points out the strengths and fine points that are often overlooked when considering trauma.” I would recommend this book to any individual working in the social, financial and health care professions, as well as any person interested in gaining insight into this topic.”
Elisheva Goldberg
Student, Dawson College, Social Services
“Recovering from Genocidal Trauma by Myra Giberovitch is a precious gift for those who work with persons who have suffered genocidal trauma or who have had their lives severely damaged by devastating experiences. The author offers a profoundly human approach for people working with survivors of such events. Professionals who use this approach can see the best in people and nurture their capacity to live meaningful lives in spite of deep scars. Resilience and vulnerability in Holocaust survivors have been the two driving forces in the work Ms. Giberovitch has being doing with them in the last twenty-five years. From any point of view, the principles in her work can be applied to all human relationships. Listen actively, understand, assist, empower, validate and respond to needs are but a few of the principles used by the author to help people lead better lives. Ms. Giberovitch has never stopped searching, learning, writing and educating. Her outstanding vision, passion and insights have led her to very creative interventions that have made a difference for those who have suffered horrific events as a result of what happened to them during WW2.”
Mireille Baulu-MacWillie, Ph.D.
Retired professor, Université Sainte-Anne, Nova Scotia
and co-author of ‘Millions of Souls: The Philip Riteman Story’
“It is a great joy to see your book, and its surprising cover. It is a very impressive work that looks, feels and reads like your life’s work. You have already changed the life of Holocaust survivors in Montreal. Now you could be changing all the people dealing with Holocaust survivors. You have made a big difference in how [survivors] are being cared for. Thank you so much for being you, and doing what you do so well. Mazal tov, much success, you certainly deserve it.”
Milka Berniker
Holocaust Survivor
