Breaking the stigma of mental health
During this process the Rabbi learned how deeply intertwined mental health and spirituality is for so many.
Recently Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig, a distinguished figure and leading global expert in the realm of mental health and halachah came to Melbourne and met with representatives of the Keren Tov charity fund to speak about helping people with mental illness.
In 2017, Rabbi Rosensweig realised there was a significant dearth of published halachic material on mental health. He and Dr Shmuel Harris embarked on rectifying the situation. Together they wrote Nafshi BeShe’elati.
During this process the Rabbi learned how deeply intertwined mental health and spirituality is for so many.
And it soon became clear that facing a perceived conflict, many people decided that they had to choose between their religious identity and their mental health; they decided that they couldn’t maintain both.
This realisation led Rabbi Rosensweig to offer spiritual, pastoral and halachic guidance. Furthermore, he began to speak publicly about mental health.
Rabbi Rosensweig’s willingness to share his knowledge was the emphasis of the Melbourne event.
Three courageous women Yehudis Simons, Chaya Raskin and Lifshy Ajzenszmidt augmented the evening by sharing their stories in order to help others.
Also, on the night Rabbi Velly Slavin provided insights into ways in which the community and its leadership can respond to people with mental health challenges.
He shared about Jews in Recovery, a support group for recovering addicts that he runs in conjunction with a friend who himself is a recovering addict.
Dr Vicki Gordon conducted a conversation with Rabbi Rosensweig addressing how the intersect of mental health and halachah can help break the stigma of mental health challenges in the community.
With over 180 men and women in attendance, comprising a diverse cross-section of the Jewish community, it was a testament to the necessity for healing and acceptance within the community.
Keren Tov was founded by Mrs. Tova Herszberg OBM in 2005 to help ease the burden of people within the community confronted by the added financial burden illness brings.
Her daughter Michi Gestetner and daughter-in-law Devora Herszberg recognised the need to also empower and support those with mental illness through acceptance and education. Together with a group of dedicated women they organised the event.
Rabbi Rosensweig runs Maaglei Nefesh, and his recent book Nafshi Beshe’elati is soon to be published in English.
To donate to Keren Tov or Maaglei Nefesh go to kerentov.org.au and reference Rav Yoni or KTMH.
comments