In light of the current challenges facing Jewish communities worldwide, this year’s kinus will feature a new Wellness Summit, a full-day, dedicated educational forum focusing on various physical and mental health-related matters.
The importance and timeliness of this summit cannot be overstated, as it will provide shluchim with invaluable information, resources, and training in this critical area of community leadership.
The program will include a broad range of resources devoted to training and equipping shluchim to better serve their respective communities in this capacity, as well as providing resources for the personal wellness of the shluchim and their families. Noted psychologist Dr. Shlomie Zimmerman, PSYD, will be giving a lecture on the subject, along with other such seminars and personal guidance.
There will be sessions for shluchim to share ideas and resources on how to be better equipped to deal with medical, mental, and spiritual care for their communities. This will also cover handling end-of-life matters, another sensitive and emotional corner of life.
As for training and education, Chabad on Call at Merkos 302 has partnered with The Wellness Institute from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute to create a brand-new four-part training session for shluchim. Upon concluding the sessions, graduates will receive a Wellness Certification in Spiritual Care and Mental Health that will equip shluchim to deal professionally and ably with such delicate matters. Featured presenters are highly regarded professionals in the field of mental health, Dr. Casey Skvorc, Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman, Dr. David Forbes, and Dr. David Rosmarin.
Throughout the summit, medical professionals will be present to address questions and provide routine testing. Rabbi Zevi Goldberg, MSW, RCSWI, a care navigator from Shluchim Refuah, will be present to guide and advise with questions relating to mental health.
In the spirit of ish es re’ehu, and in light of recent events that are putting a strain on the wellbeing of Jews all over the world, veteran shliach Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Rov and Spiritual Leader at Chabad Flamingo, in Toronto, Ontario, will be drawing from his experience to deliver the presentation Communicating with Heart: Being Present for Your Community During Challenging Times. Rabbi Kaplan will provide insights to help others learn how to be present, listen, and communicate more effectively, particularly with those coping with difficult situations.
“Shluchim have always been ‘first responders’ for Jews worldwide in challenging moments of grief, pain, or anything a local Jew feels they might need,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chairman of the International Kinus Hashluchim. “These sessions and resources will go a long way into healing our brothers and sisters everywhere, especially during recent times when the darkness seems to be looming ever larger. As the Rebbe taught us, it’s critical that we introduce light and healing in such times.”
When is this taking place?
Ulam chana