The Department of Jewish Family Concerns was created in July 1997 as the first programmatic department in Jewish synagogue life dedicated to developing programs for congregations that respond to the changes emerging in the contemporary Jewish family. The department develops, monitors and helps implement programs within our congregations in such areas as: mental health, resiliency among youth and parents involving such issues as suicide, body image, self inflicted violence and peer/social pressures, disabilities, LGBTI issues and inclusion, the impact of medical technology on families and the emerging revolution in longevity. The work of the department is based on a concept of the "theology of relationships" that sees the creation of sacred relationships as the most powerful aspect of synagogue life. Upon this foundation of relationships, programs and resources are built that affirm the department’s organizing principle of the synagogue as a 'caring community'."
|
