Refaenu: Healing Our Community From Within

Learn more about Refaenu: Healing Our Community From Within, an initiative across all Temple programs and departments, from pre-school to sages, that will focus on mindfulness, healing, and wholeness.

This year, Temple will offer:
• Open Hearts—a new task force of clergy and lay leaders who will establish programs and services (see below) focusing on mental health
• A series in the Spring on mindfulness and other spiritual resources that are native to Jewish tradition (contact Elizabeth Foster for more details).
• A weekly, online opportunity to explore Jewish wisdom for a healthy inner life and time to simply be still for a guided meditation during a busy day (see your weekly email for the link).
• Shabbat hanefesh—Service of the Soul—monthly opportunities to renew the spirit through reflection, music, intro section and inspiration (see your weekly email for upcoming dates).
• Moderated Facebook groups, conversation circles, and social media campaigns (follow us @thetemple_atl)
• Connection for those who ask, to skilled therapists for free (contact Rabbi Lydia Medwin for a referral). 

- Moderated Bereavement Group for those who have lost loved ones (contact Rabbi Lydia Medwin for a referral).
• Training for our Gesher Teen Peer Leaders on additional resilience training and coping skills with local psychologists and CHOA’S Strong4Life team (contact Rabbi Steven Rau for more information).
• Expanded socio-emotional learning activities in our BEC and WELC classrooms (contact Rabbi Steven Rau for more information).
• Guest speakers for parents on youth and teen mental health (contact Rabbi Steven Rau for more information).
• Updated teen curricula to include more lessons and activities on strengthening mental health (speak to your teen to learn more).
• Ongoing training our WELC teachers through Bright from the Start on teaching stress management and promoting empathy and prosocial behaviors (Contact Sarah Shinsky, WELC Director, for more information).

This is what it looks like when we strengthen our safety net. We develop relationships that allow us to show up for each other, sit with each other in darkness, check in and really listen to the response we are given, and offer support. Darkness may come. Sometimes we can prepare for it. Sometimes we can anticipate it. Together we can build up practices to help us move through it. 

Crisis Line
If you are in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help:

Call or text 988 to speak with someone right now.
NAMI is a Georgia-specific resource: 1-800-273-TALK

Open Heart Program
Over the next twelve months, we will be assembling a task force of clergy, lay leaders, and
champions to join us in establishing programs and services that The Temple
will provide. Please consider whether you would like to open your heart and join us
in this important work. Contact Rabbi Medwin for updates and information at lmedwin@the-temple.org. 

Vessel Wellness 

A program of the Blue Dove Foundation, Vessel Wellness is a new social wellness initiative

focusing on teens and young adults. Facilitators will teach wellness and life skills through live, experiential group activities. Simply, we believe social wellness is a pillar of a good life. Go to www.vesselwellness.com to start in a group now, or contact Rabbi Medwin for more information.

For resources and articles on all issues of mental health and Jewish connections, please visit: https://thebluedovefoundation.org/resource-library/