The Nefesh Committee Wellness Series
Thursday, February 18 at 7:00pm
Living Healthy in a COVID World
An evening with the author, Dr. Aly Cohen
Join Author, physician and congregant, Dr. Aly Cohen for an evening focusing on the tools you need to stay healthy during these challenging times. Dr. Cohen will share information on mental health, diet, nutrition, nature and chemical exposure reduction designed to maintain the health of your body, mind and soul.
How Do We Heal? A Message from Jewish Family & Children's Services
Healing, one of our agency’s three core values, is derived from the Jewish value Tikkun Olam.
Tikkun Olam - Healing the World, the concept can seem overwhelming in the best of times, for as much as we try, there is always healing needed.
Where do we even begin?
First, we must be sure we heal from within. We must prioritize our own mental health and well-being before looking to give of ourselves to others. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Then we look outward, we lend a helping hand – a mitzvah, a good deed. That act of kindness, gemilut hasadim, lends itself to another, then another. We all find inspiration in stories of “paying it forward,” continuing the good deeds.
When help is given…to an individual when kindness is shown to them during a personal crisis; to a family when neighbors rally together for them; to a community when we put the needs of our collective over our individual gains…there we find hope.
And when we have developed an emphasis on helping others, when we have sparked hope through united service for each other, that is where we start healing.
These small steps begin to heal, to repair our "world." We then challenge ourselves to broaden who is considered our community, expanding the boundaries of our world, and together we will repair, restore, and heal.
If you are seeking extra support during these difficult times...
JFCS Phone Drop-In Hours - 609-987-8100 Dial 0
Mon, Wed, Fri: 10 AM - 12 PM
Tue & Thu: 5 - 7 PM
Connect with Warmlines
NJ Hopeline - 1-855-654-6735
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Nefesh Resources
Articles
What To Say To Kids When The News Is Scary : Parenting: Difficult Conversations
Some advice on how to explain this difficult situation to your children. - NPR.com
What I Learned as a Parent of a Transgender Child
by Paria Hassouri, M.D.
A parent describes her own transition toward acceptance of her child’s identity.
COVID Resources and Information
Articles
Dear Therapist’s Guide to Staying Sane During a Pandemic
You can let anxiety consume you, or you can feel the fear and also find joy in ordinary life, even now.
Read the article in The Atlantic
Taking care of yourself during the pandemic, from head to toe
It’s been more than a month since many of us have been to work, the gym or the hairdressers. We’re still not sleeping well, our hands are dry from too much hand sanitizer, and our brains are foggy from reading too much about covid-19. Take a step back and pay attention to your mental and physical needs during this time. You’ll be glad you did.
Read the article in The Washington Post
Dispelling Myths on Mental Illness
Facing Pandemic Fears with an Awake Heart from Tara Brach
While it’s natural to feel fear during times of great collective crisis, our challenge is that fear easily takes over our lives. This talk explores how the mindfulness and compassion of the RAIN meditation can help us find an inner refuge in the face of fear, and deepen our loving connection with each other.
An Easy Plan for Beating the Winter Blues
Try a few (or all) of these tips to help you stay mentally and physically strong this season.
RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing Program offers emotional support services, education and community-based resources for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click Here for Free Weekly Virtual Support Groups
Meditation Sites
Spiritual Wisdom and Guidance
Anxiety and Depression Guide During COVID-19
Support for Addiction Recovery
Other Resources