Dr Durst is a leading figure in the field of Holocaust survivor counselling and research in Israel, and is a noted clinical and academic psychologist. A survivor of the Holocaust himself, Dr Durst has held leading positions in various university departments in Israel, was Supervisor of ELAH, a Psychosocial Service for Dutch Holocaust Survivors, in Tel-Aviv and later founded and ran the Study Center ‘Psychological Impact on Holocaust Survivors’ at Bar-Ilan University. Dr Durst was also a co-founder of AMCHA, the National Israeli Centre for Psychosocial Support of Survivors of the Holocaust and the Second Generation.

In light of Dr Durst’s vast trauma and transition counseling experience the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation is hosting a workshop with Dr Durst whilst he is in Johannesburg.  In April this year, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies will be hosting Dr Nathan Durst as their guest for the 2010 Holocaust Remembrance Day or ‘Yom HaShoah’.  This is an opportunity to engage with Dr Durst’s personal and academic experiences and nurture ways in which lessons from Holocaust trauma counseling could be used in the South African context.  It is also an opportunity for various other NGOs or groups working in the field of trauma to engage with Dr Durst so that links between the South African and Holocaust experiences could be examined.

Please RSVP with Melissa at (011)4035102 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on/or before Friday, 09 April 2010, or with Marivic Garica at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

More about Dr Durst.