In the wake of the traumatic events of October 7th, 2023, Israel faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. The need for accessible, effective mental health care has never been greater, with public systems struggling to meet the demands of those grappling with anxiety, PTSD, and depression. In response, within the Research and Treatment Psychology Clinic at the School of Psychology, Reichman University is establishing the Pearl-Ellen Gordon Resilience Center, a transformative initiative designed to address these urgent challenges. 
The center honors the legacy of Dr. Pearl-Ellen Gordon (1943–2023), a compassionate and brilliant psychologist and psychoanalyst whose life’s work embodied the values of care, mentorship, and resilience.

HONORING DR. PEARL-ELLEN GORDON

 

 

 

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Dr. Gordon was a leader in her field, known for her deep compassion, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to her patients and students. For her, psychoanalysis was not just a profession but a calling. She maintained a thriving private practice for decades, touching countless lives with her insightful and empathetic care.
A passionate teacher and mentor, Dr. Gordon founded and led the Child and Adolescent Treatment Center at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP). Under her leadership, the ICP advanced its mission to train therapists and provide accessible, affordable care. In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Gordon was a devoted mother, grandmother, sibling and friend.

Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, she graduated summa cum laude from Wellesley College and earned her PhD from New York University, ultimately becoming a proud lifelong New Yorker. Her unwavering Zionism and dedication to advancing mental health care now find a permanent home in the Pearl-Ellen Gordon Resilience Center at Reichman University.
The center’s founding contribution comes from The Allan S. Gordon Foundation, ensuring Dr. Gordon’s legacy lives on through the advancement of trauma care, mental health training, and resilience research in Israel.