Zoe Muller, MSW, CSWA (she/her), is an experienced, dedicated, culturally sensitive and competent social worker who works with children, adolescents and their families, including people with mental and/or intellectual disabilities, and older adults and their families. She also is JFCS’ Intake Manager. Zoe’s Ideal Client Working with young children and adolescents – and their families…
Chaviva Greenberg, MSW, CSWA (she/her), child and family therapist, is an experienced educator, who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, turned her professional attention to counseling. She possesses an innate ability to connect with children of all ages and their families and engages in this important work for JFCS clients. A graduate with honors from Wurtzweiler’s School of Social…
In celebration of Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2024, the Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Federations of North America, Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies, and 107 additional national, state, and local Jewish organizations sent the following letter to the 118th Congress: Dear Members of the 118th Congress, Representing the collective voice of 110 undersigned Jewish…
New Program Provides Educators With Skills and Approaches to Engage with ‘Complexities Around Conflicts’ Amid new challenges and realities facing Israel and Jewish communities around the world, educators are seeking new skills and approaches to engage with the complexities around conflicts. To meet this demand, The iCenter’s Conflict of Interest (COI) Certificate Program gathers educators from…
By Debra Rich Gettleman Todd Shotz is like the Jewish Kevin Bacon. No matter who you are, if you’re Jewish, you are somehow connected to him in less than six degrees. We found shared connections with dear friends in La Jolla, after about 42 seconds. Maybe his gift of creating community wherever he goes is…
By Cindy Saltzman As Israel and America stand strong against Hamas, Hezbollah, and anyone who supports the massacre of innocent civilians, the desire to help is palpable. But how do you know where and how to give? How do you determine a charity is credible and fiscally responsible? How can you be sure that the…
On October 11, 2023, Commissioner Sharon Meireran received the NAMI Oregon’s Annual Gordon and Sharon Smith New Freedom award. This award was created in 2009 to honor the mental health advocacy efforts of former U.S Sen. Gordon Smith and his wife, Sharon. Each year, the award recognizes an individual or organization for their leadership…
We are fortunate at Cedar Sinai Park to have access to wonderful volunteers who can help us process together the horrific events occurring in the Middle East. Volunteers David Molko, L.C.S.W., and Rabbi Barry Cohen are on campus weekly sharing mindfulness tips and spirituality, respectively. Each has generously adjusted their usual activities to meet in groups with…
by Debra Rich Gettleman If you’re not a scribe but have always wanted to feel more personally connected to Torah, here’s your chance. Last week Sefaria.org launched the Global Community Torah: a world-spanning digital collaboration, collectively “written” by Jews around the globe. Since the initial launch, people from 73 countries have participated and the writing…
By Rabbi Dr. Robert L. Kravitz Every New Year presents us with a chance to pause and reflect on the past year. Considered a festive time, many will dress up and attend New Year’s Eve/Day parties and watch football. As in every special season, our tradition calls upon us to look for moderation…
