Jews Are Not Immune: Exploring Addiction and Mental Health

**A blogcast is an online written panel, updating in real-time, much like a Facebook thread! You can find our previous blogcasts here: https://www.replyall.me/jofas-cast/**

Mental illness, trauma-related issues, and addiction are believed to be as common in the American Jewish community as in the rest of society, yet there are limited faith-based resources within a Jewish framework. Jewish faith centers are much less likely to host 12-Step and recovery based programming than their Christian counterparts​, and ​m​any Jews believe traditional substance abuse treatment programs, like the 12 Steps program, have overtly Christian tones​. Discomfort or alienation in those environments can serve as an impediment to treatment.​ How do we as a Jewish community support individuals and families impacted by substance abuse and mental health issues, and how do we increase dialogue around addiction and mental health issues within the Jewish community? Tune into JOFA's blogcast (online panel) throughout the week of February 12th as we host Jory Hanselman of BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy, Marla Kaufman of the Jewish Addiction Awareness Network, Miriam Ament Forman of No Shame On U, and Efrem Epstein of Elijah's Journey to explore these important questions.

For panelist bios, see the JOFA website: https://www.jofa.org/upcoming-blogcast