Love Wins: Arno Michaelis’ Journey from Hate to Healing
Arno Michaelis once lived a life fueled by hate, immersed in the violent ideologies of neo-Nazism. Today, his story serves as a beacon of hope and transformation.
Growing up during the Second Intifada and facing ongoing terror attacks in Israel, along with the loss of my father-in-law in 9/11, profoundly shaped my career. I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the impact of terrorism and supporting victims. Now, with the amazing team at Parents for Peace, I have the chance to prevent the very harm I’ve spent my career treating. I couldn't be more excited to take on this mission.
A Lecturer in Psychology at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program at the Boston Child Study Center, Dr. Bar-Halpern brings a wealth of expertise and an unwavering commitment to combating extremism and anti-Semitism.
In response to the tragic events of October 7, Dr. Bar-Halpern took a stand against hate and radicalization, leading her to join Parents for Peace. As our new Director of Trauma Services and Training, she is already making a significant impact by addressing the root causes of radicalization through trauma-informed care and prevention strategies.
Dr. Bar-Halpern’s focus on mental health and resilience aligns seamlessly with our mission to counter extremism as a public health issue. Her background equips her to lead innovative approaches to intervention and education, empowering individuals and communities to break cycles of violence and hate.
Since joining, Dr. Bar-Halpern has hit the ground running. Partnering with our Executive Director, Myrieme Nadri-Churchill, she has been presenting to schools across Massachusetts, providing valuable resources and insights on resilience, trauma prevention, and counter-extremism strategies. Together, they are fostering understanding and equipping educators, students, and parents with the tools they need to build stronger, safer communities.
At Parents for Peace, we believe that addressing extremism requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our team includes former extremists, survivors, and leading experts like Dr. Bar-Halpern, all working together to provide education, prevention, and trauma-informed support. With her leadership, we are poised to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and create meaningful change across the country.
We are honored to have Dr. Bar-Halpern join us in this critical work. Her dedication, expertise, and passion are invaluable as we continue to address radicalization at its roots and build resilience in communities nationwide.
Let’s give her a warm welcome and look forward to the impactful work ahead! 🙌
P.S.: Make sure to subscribe to Our Stories Matter Podcast, cohosted by Dr. Halpern.
Arno Michaelis once lived a life fueled by hate, immersed in the violent ideologies of neo-Nazism. Today, his story serves as a beacon of hope and transformation.
We were honored to welcome Professor John Horgan to Boston for a day of meaningful connection and collaboration!