From what I understand, many Holocaust survivors themselves did not seek therapy after arriving in the United States. The goal was making a semblance of a normal life as part of society again. The wounds were too fresh, and the focus was on building a family and settling into a new, foreign city.  The trauma they experienced was either suppressed or passed on directly or indirectly to their children, the second generation (2Gs).  2Gs faced the brunt of the effects of the Holocaust from their survivor parents, and the 3Gs, although a generation removed from the survivors, face their own set of issues that can be dealt with in therapy. The third generation has sought a community and other 3Gs to relate to – and local organizations such as Boston 3G, 3GDC and 3GNY provide forums for 3Gs explore these psychological effects of the Holocaust with professionals.

Dr. Rivka Bekerman-Greenberg, Ph.D., is a psychoanalyst that specializes in, among other things, the transmission of trauma across generations in families of Holocaust survivors. She is hosting a therapy group specific to the third generation in New York City, to get involved and learn more, please see below:

“From Surviving to Thriving” – a therapy group for grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, is now meeting on a regular basis on Tuesdays between 7:30-9 PM. This group experience is aimed at exploring in a safe therapeutic setting the impact of the Holocaust on love, work, resilience and creativity.

Rivka Bekerman-Greenberg, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst, and a 2G, in private practice in NYC and a supervisor and faculty member at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy.  She was on the faculty of the Mount Sinai Traumatic Stress Treatment Center, which offered group therapy for survivors and their children.

Dr. Bekerman-Greenberg wrote a play “Eavesdropping on Dreams” about three generations in a family of a Holocaust survivor, to be produced at the Cherry Lane Theater in NYC between April 20 – May 20, 2012.  She has also produced a documentary: “I am Carrying the Holocaust in my Pocket”- interviews with four granddaughters of survivors.

For any further questions please contact:

Rivka Bekerman-Greenberg, Ph.D
Clinical Psychologist/psychoanalyst
350 West 57th Street, Apt. 3A
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 459-9060
E-Mail: rivkagreenberg@nyc.rr.com