Resource Category: Self-Care/Self-Love

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.
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Navigating Difficult Conversations

Created with BeWell | As we navigate the current situation in Israel and Gaza, as well as around the world with the rise in antisemitism, we want to validate the wide range of mental, physical and emotional reactions you may be going through. While many of us share a strong connection to Israel, we need to be sensitive to the different feelings and experiences people have had since October 7, 2023. Conversations around the situation in Israel will naturally arise during the summer with staff and peers. This resource offers ways to think about how to have these difficult conversations.
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SUMMER HARD – The Ultimate Guide to a Fulfilling Summer: Boost your Mental Health and Deepen Connections

By Justin Milrad | The longer days and warmer weather of summer offer the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your mind, body, spirit and soul. It’s a season of growth, exploration and connection — a time to prioritize joy, personal development and meaningful interactions with others. However, while we all KNOW we need to disconnect from our work and take time for ourselves for the sake of our health and spirit, sometimes we need to be reminded HOW to do it during the precious days of summer. If you need help doing that, we have some tips for you:
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All Night, Always Honest

By Rabbi Zach Beer | On Shavuot night, while we shouldn’t fall asleep, we should consider embodying the value that the Jewish people brought to Har Sinai and spend the night reflecting on growing and being honest with ourselves as a means of connecting with God.
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October 7th – The Jewish Collective Trauma Response

By Talya Gordon | I don’t have the answers for how or even if we will be okay. Right now, all we can do is sit with the pain and be honest about how we are doing. We are not okay. We need the world to do more. We need to mourn and cry and take care of ourselves. We need support from non-Jews, so we know people outside of our community care about our safety.
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The Power of Art: The Positive Effect of Art on Mental Health

Creativity is a godly activity. According to Jewish tradition, every story in the Torah is included for a reason. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, a 20th-century scholar, wrote in “Halakich Man” that the reason the story of creation was included in the Torah was to teach us to be creative — just like God. Engaging in art and practicing creativity can leave us with more than just a beautiful physical piece of work. Art can be an incredible tool for expressing ourselves and actively supporting our mental health. Research has found “expression through art can help people [who are struggling] with depression, anxiety, and stress.”* Engaging in art for even 20 minutes reduces cortisol, which decreases stress.
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Ladder of Emotional Regulation

We have a variety of strategies and skills available to manage and/or “regulate” ourselves when we feel overwhelmed. Their effectiveness depends on the person as well as the type and intensity of the distress they are experiencing in that particular moment. Several types of tools address the different aspects of the emotional experience, and we can address our needs from all sides. We can manage unhelpful thinking, employ sensory strategies to calm our bodies, use social support to validate our feelings and get help when we need it.
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Immersive Experience Staff Journal

We know staff mental health needs are important, and we hope this resource offers an opportunity to better support the staff’s mental health over the summer. The Blue Dove Foundation is proud to partner with BeWell, an initiative of Jewish Federations of North America, and Foundation for Jewish Camp in the creation of this meaningful resource.
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