BaMidbar is more than therapy. We continue to invest heavily in providing educational and professional development programs. It’s based on our belief that we must strengthen young people’s mental health by using a layered approach that focuses both on the Individual and the Microsystem that surrounds them.
The microsystem includes family and caregivers, schools, peers, and Jewish professionals in settings such as camps, youth groups, Hillels, day schools, and synagogues.
We’ve been very busy since the start of the new year.
In January and February we’ve delivered more than 25 educational and professional development programs!
Here’s a high-level look at what we’ve been up since so far this year:
TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS
BaMidbar offers fellowships, events, and educational programming for teens and young adults. In January and February, such events included:
Teen Wellness Fellowship
Massachusetts
In addition to planning their annual spring event for May Mental Health Awareness Month, Teen Wellness Fellows learned about Teen Mental Health First Aid. Topics covered included: How to open the conversation about mental health and substance use challenges; Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges; The impact of school violence and bullying on mental wellbeing; How to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult.
HaMakom Teen Wellness Series
Los Angeles, CA
BaMidbar and HaMakom kicked off a 4-part deep dive into mental health & wellness for teens. As advocates, teens are working to increase awareness and decrease stigma around mental health through personal exploration, group learning, and field-based projects.
Jewish Queer (JQ) International
Los Angeles, CA
In January, BaMidbar offered its first program in partnership with JQ International. Attendees spent time reflecting on Tu BiShvat, resilience, and the impact that nature can have on our overall well being.
Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) & Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JF&CS)
San Francisco, CA
BaMidbar partnered with JAAN and JF&CS in San Francisco for a community event addressing teens and addiction.
JEWISH PROFESSIONALS & EDUCATORS
BaMidbar provides mental health education and workshops on how Judaism can be taught with a wellness lens to Jewish professionals and educators nationwide. Recent programs include:
Developing Minds
Massachusetts
Boston-area participants of Developing Minds, a 5-month program to help youth-serving Jewish organizations build institutional mental health capacity so all youth can engage in Jewish life, have been busy. Cohort 1 programming wrapped up in January and February and Cohort 2 programming kicked off immediately thereafter.
Virtual MESH-EE
National
BaMidbar offered Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Through Experiential Education (MESH-EE) virtually, making this 4-part professional development series available to Jewish professionals and educators nationwide. The program focuses on expanding understanding of mental health, wellness, and experiential learning in order to better support students and actively promote social and emotional growth.
Self-Care for Boston Jewish Professionals
Massachusetts
Since October 7, 2023, many Jewish professionals have found themselves receding into a state of burnout and compassion fatigue that they may not have experienced since the heart of the pandemic. BaMidbar offered a 2-part series that covered radical self-acceptance, values, burnout, and boundaries to help them nurture their own well-being.
Combined Jewish Philanthropies Lunch-and-Learn
Massachusetts
BaMidbar met with CJP’s professional staff for a lunch-in-learn for an introduction to mental health and wellness for teens and young adults and to discuss opportunities available to the Greater Boston Jewish community,
SYNAGOGUES & SUMMER CAMPS
BaMidbar offers customized Mental Health Workshops and services for synagogues. In January and February, BaMidbar provided educational programs in the following communities:
Temple Beth Elohim
Wellesley, MA
Topic: Stress & Behavior as Communication
Temple Beth Shalom
Needham, MA
Topic: Coaching, a component of the Developing Minds initiative.
Temple Emunah
Lexington, MA
Topic: Coaching, a component of the Developing Minds initiative.
URJ Camp Eisner
Great Barrington, MA
Topic: Coaching, a component of the Developing Minds initiative.
Learn more about Mental Health Workshops and Services.
JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS
BaMidbar offers customized programs for Jewish Day Schools. In January and February, BaMidbar partnered with the following schools:
Gann Academy
Waltham, MA
Topic: Stress, Anxiety, Wellness, Resilience, Teen Life
Jewish Day School (Anonymous)
Massachusetts
Topic: Yoga for Mind and Body, led by a BaMidbar therapist who is also a registered yoga instructor.