With All Your Soul - to heal, to grow, to live…
This active committee identifies difficult transition times in life and provides programs to help strengthen individuals and families, from single parents, to parents of teenagers, empty nesters, children caring for parents, and the bereaved. W.A.Y.S. programs include:
Yoga Classes
Congregation Beth Israel is excited to offer a Yoga course lead by Jennifer Buergermeister. Classes will be on Sundays from 9:30am to 10:30am (please refer to the website calendar for dates and location). Sign up by calling Rabbi Adrienne Scott at 713-771-6221 x329 or email her Assistant Jayne Nathan: jnathan@beth-israel.org.
Bereavement Support Group
The Caring Community of Congregation Beth Israel invites all who have experienced the loss of a loved one to join its Bereavement Support Group. Please check our website calendar for upcoming meeting times. Judith Katzman, M.A., LMFT, a psychotherapist in private practice who specializes in illness, death, dying and grief therapy, will facilitate the group. She brings with her a background full of experience and wisdom in this area and will provide resources as well as a warm and supportive environment. Support and educational information on the grieving process will be provided as well as rabbinic input throughout the process.
If you are interested in joining the group or in getting more information, please call Rabbi Scott at 713-771-6221 x329 or e-mail her Assistant at: jnathan@beth-israel.org. Anyone in the community who would benefit from this group is welcome to attend. Spaces are limited so please call as soon as possible.
For more information, click on Bereavements.
Men’s Night Out
Led by Steve Katzman, a licensed psychotherapist, this is a night and place to discuss issues that men face every day but rarely discuss in depth with others. Topics range from marriage to divorce, stress, parenting, work, relationships, anger, and more. Not a drop-in group, participants are asked to commit to sessions for six weeks. For more information, please contact Rabbi Scott at 713-771-6221 x329 or email her Assistant Jayne Nathan.
Other Support Group Classes
Throughout the year, the committee organizes various support group classes to deal with diverse topics range from issues affecting healthy relationships and partnerships among young marrieds, parents, caregivers, divorced couples and children, and many others.
Domestic Violence
Shalom Bayit or Peace in the Home
Beth Israel is a charter member of this group which raises awareness of domestic violence in Jewish homes. Domestic abuse is defined as a pattern of coercive behavior by one partner to dominate another. It cuts across all socioeconomic, educational, racial and religious lines. Jewish families are no exception. There is no justification. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the 24-Hour Crisis Hot Line at the Houston Area Women’s Center 713-528-2121 or 800-256-0551. Ask for Sadie. More information is available in pamphlets in the Temple’s Women’s restrooms. Your rabbis and your congregation are here for you. Please call.