By Debra Waranch, LCSW-C We have faced the events of 2020 and now 2021, with our emotions. Mine were shock, confusion, fear, exhaustion, and determination. We are all reactive to these experiences, and protective. Shock and Confusion: what is happening? how could this happen? Fear: if it happened at the Capitol, it could happen anywhere … are we safe? will we be …
By Rozi Rice I could never have anticipated that the events of Monday, March 16, 2020 – a day that began like any other – would have the impact on my life that they did. In an early morning email from Jewish Community Service’s Executive Director, my colleagues and I learned that our building would …
By Jen Rudo Everything – and yet nothing – has changed. In March 2020, when COVID forced both professional closures and personal distance, we had to act quickly. Every aspect of our Jewish Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) program – which has a 100-year history of connecting Jewish children and teens with adult role models …
Connecting From Afar: How JCS Mentors are Staying on Track During the Pandemic Read More »
By Deborah Hamburger Around the winter holiday season, my office typically resembles a miniature FAO Schwarz. Puzzles and Lego sets get stacked on top of my filing cabinet; dolls are arranged on my windowsill; board games are piled in the corner next to my bookcase; cars, trucks, and trains form a caravan in front of …
What do we do as parents, when we notice that our child’s experience of this world is causing them distress? How do we know when enough is enough, and something needs to be done in order to protect and keep them socially and emotionally healthy? How do we know whether therapy might be beneficial?
By Susan Kurlander, M. Ed., Health Educator “There is no greater gift we can give our loved ones than the knowledge and understanding of who we are, what we represent and what are our hopes for future generations.” (Riemer, J., & Stampfer, N. 1983. Ethical Wills: A Modern Jewish Treasury.) Although this ideal sounds lofty, …
Staying Connected During the Pandemic and Beyond Read More »
By Myra Strassler, LCSW-C At one time you may have seen a momma duck crossing a field with its ducklings following behind. When they hatched from their eggs, the babies were imprinted with “this is my mom.” They follow her and learn from her. In many ways our children establish a similar link to us. …
By Susan Kurlander, M. Ed., Health Educator We all know the importance of self-esteem. Without it, we fear children will make unhealthy decisions, shy away from learning and trying new things, and never reach their maximum potential. Now more than ever, with children spending much of their day on their own, it’s essential that they learn …
By Ben Barer, LCSW-C “Would you like to read a book before bedtime or would you rather just go straight to bed without a book?” This question appears to be unnecessary because nine times out of ten, your child will always pick the “book” option. But the implications behind giving a choice for the simplest …
By Karen James, LCSW-C Did you hear about a 2015 New York Times essay titled, “To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This?” Based on a research study to test if specific questions and conversations might create and deepen a sense of intimacy between 2 people, Mandy Len Catron’s Modern Love piece lists the 36 …
