Body (From Hineni: Caring for the Caregiver)

Mental health IS physical health and vice versa. We are only beginning to fully understand the way this works and how our actions affect our physical being. In addition, emotions can be a very physical experience, and we gain from learning the skill of tuning in.

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Mind (From Hineni: Caring for the Caregiver)

Mental illness is rarely logical. Thoughts and feelings can collide in ways that make no sense; illness can make someone reject help they know they need and do things that can harm. We attempt to explain what we can, suggest strategies for maintaining objectivity, and point you toward resources that can provide more information.

Articles, Downloads, Jewish Support, Mental Health Support, Support Resources

Hineni | Caring for the Caregiver

This is a companion guide, not a “manual.” We don’t intend to lecture; we want you to feel as if we are sitting with you at the breakfast table, helping you to step back from your own reactions and look at things objectively. We want it to feel conversational, e.g., one parent/caregiver talking to another, and provide you with information to educate you as a caregiver and accompany you on what is often an incredibly isolating and thankless job. Our team’s extensive experience working with families and educating communities has taught us a great deal about ways to offer support, and we wish to share some of that experience with you and say, “Hineni.”

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Sanctifying Social Media: Doomscrolling and Mental Health

The Hebrew word for being holy/sanctified is “kadosh,” However, many scholars stress that to be kadosh also means to be separate. This dual meaning — to make something holy is to separate it from other parts of our lives — is significant. Separating ourselves from things that are potentially harmful to our mental health like social media would mean making our lives kadosh, holy.

Articles

Remember to Nishmah

In the aftermath of trauma, one can easily become consumed by a sense of restlessness and a need to “do,” or a task to “na’aseh,” without taking time to pause and “listen” to their hearts. When the Jews escaped Egypt and transitioned into life in the desert, they likely felt that way, compelled to “do” without listening to how they were feeling in that moment. Perhaps God was reminding them to do so at the end of the Torah portion Mishpatim, where the iconic phrase, "Naaseh Ve'Nishmah - We Will do and We Will Listen!" is found.

Articles

Finding Balance – Connecting and Setting Boundaries around Difficult Conversations

What is it about these gatherings that make them so hard? It can be one of the rare times the family is gathered together, which brews the potent combination of pressure to enjoy every minute with diverse personalities and expectations. Being around friends and family can remind us of the happy memories of childhood, but it also can dredge up memories of conflict, trauma and loss.

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Guard Your Soul Carefully – Prioritizing Caring for Yourself

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.” How we do this looks different for everyone. This resource explores proven and applicable methods of self-care and the Jewish sources that support the need for individualized self-care.

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Tisha B’Av from the Ground Up: Piecing Our World Back Together

On the holy day of Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, tradition has us sitting on the ground as a way to simulate grief and mourning. But the practice can also bring healing to people reeling in the lingering effects of trauma.

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Commemorating October 7: Creating Space During the Chaggim (High Holidays)

As we are approaching the year anniversary of the attacks on October 7, join us as we think about the ways we can create space to support our community members and Jewish professional staff during the Chaggim this year. We will explore this topic and share resources to support your communities.

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Coping: Addressing the Difficult Moments as they Arise

As we are approaching the year anniversary of the attacks on October 7, we should think about the ways we can create space to support our community members and Jewish professional staff during the Chaggim, High Holidays, this year. We should also be thinking about the ways we can be compassionate to ourselves as well as others.