Jewish Community Outreach and Care

JSSA is committed to serving people of all backgrounds. We have a special history with the Jewish community and an ongoing mission to provide culturally sensitive care for our Jewish neighbors.

Our Jewish Community Outreach and Care team provides support, consultation, and education for individuals, families, synagogue groups, and other organizations. We provide tailored services based on the needs of our clients and patients. In addition to the JSSA services available to our neighbors of all backgrounds, here are a few of the services we provide in the Jewish community:

Jewish Chaplaincy Services

• Jewish chaplaincy support to patients and staff at Suburban Hospital in Montgomery County, MD; other hospitals upon request.
• Jewish chaplaincy support to residents in more than 10 local senior living and continuing care communities.
• Rapid response spiritual care and emotional support for traumatic events impacting both the Jewish and broader community.

Synagogue Support Services

• Wise Aging groups, in partnership with participating synagogue communities, are available to synagogue members.
• Synagogue-based bereavement support in partnership with synagogue communities.
• Consultation with synagogue communities seeking support for members in need.
• Education and training for synagogue and other community groups to strengthen emotional, social, and spiritual support skills for staff and volunteers.

Partnerships

• Partnership with the Hebrew Free Burial Society

Nechama Support Groups

Support During & After Divorce

The end of a marriage is one of the most challenging and disruptive life cycle transitions; it can also be a time of reflection, exploration, and new insights.

Temple Beth Ami in partnership with JSSA offers a support group for adults in the process of divorcing or recently divorced (within the last 2 years) from their spouses. This will be a safe, confidential, and supportive space to process this major life transition emotionally and socially. Adults of all ages are welcome.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
LENGTH OF TIME: Six weeks beginning on October 14
COST: There is no formal fee – participants are asked to make a donation to JSSA, suggested minimum $72
LOCATION: Temple Beth Ami

Our facilitator is Lori Kolle, LCSW-C, a senior mental health clinician at JSSA with many years of experience and expertise navigating the psychological impact of divorce on individuals and families.

REGISTER HERE

Support For Breast Cancer Patients & Survivors

JSSA is offering a support group for breast cancer patients and survivors beginning on Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA.

Thanks to a collaboration with Sharsheret, which provides support and education to the Jewish breast cancer community, we are able to offer this unique opportunity for those in treatment or post-treatment to receive emotional, social, and spiritual support, meet others navigating their own paths, and nurture hope and resilience.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesdays beginning Oct 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
LENGTH OF TIME: TBD
COST: There is no formal fee – participants are asked to make a donation to JSSA, suggested minimum $72
LOCATION: Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church, VA

REGISTER HERE

Programs for Spouses or Partners in Mourning

We know that the death of a spouse or partner is one of the most painful and complex life transitions we encounter. Group participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their memories, explore insights and different perspectives, and give and receive comforting support with others navigating their own grief. Our group will integrate current clinical approaches to grief support with time-honored Jewish wisdom, tradition, and custom. Everyone is welcome in these groups. You do not need to be Jewish or belong to any of the participating congregations.

Death of Spouse/Partner at Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD

JSSA and Congregation Beth El are partnering to offer a 6-session grief support group for those mourning the death of a spouse or partner.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesdays beginning August 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
LENGTH OF TIME: TBD
COST: There is no formal fee – participants are asked to make a donation to JSSA, suggested minimum $72
LOCATION: Congregation Beth El, Bethesda, MD

REGISTER HERE

“Next Steps” at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA. JSSA and Temple Rodef Shalom are partnering to offer a 6-session grief support group for those mourning the death of a spouse or partner.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesdays beginning November 4, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
LENGTH OF TIME: TBD
COST: There is no formal fee – participants are asked to make a donation to JSSA, suggested minimum $72
LOCATION: Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church, VA

REGISTER HERE

For information about this work or other questions regarding Jewish Community Outreach and Care, please contact Rabbi Rachel Hersh at rhersh@jssa.org.