Healing Through Laughter: Israeli Medical Clowns Expand Role After Oct. 7

Shira Friedlander, known as Shorty the medical clown, spends her days making children laugh at Tel Aviv’s Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital. But behind the bubbles and jokes lies a serious mission: helping young patients recover from trauma.

Israel is a global leader in medical clowning, with over 100 salaried professionals in more than 30 hospitals. The field has expanded since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with clowns now working with traumatized soldiers, former hostages, and evacuees.

Studies show medical clowning reduces children’s pain and anxiety. One Israeli study found children cried two-thirds less during blood draws when accompanied by a clown. ‘It isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s part of recovery,’ Friedlander said.

The Clownbulance, created by veteran clown Smadar Harpak, takes seriously ill children and trauma victims on outings. After Oct. 7, it transported released hostages on a jeep excursion. ‘There are kids who have really lost faith in humanity,’ Harpak said.

Haifa University now offers the world’s first bachelor’s degree in medical clowning, blending humor with clinical training. ‘The clown’s job is to help a person look at things from a different place,’ Friedlander said.

Article and image source: jta.org