Caring Community
Caring Community
At Congregation Beth Am we strive to be a covenantal community – one united by a sense of mutual responsibility, compassion and care. Members reach out to one another in many ways at times of joy and sorrow, providing help when needed through personal notes, meal delivery, new baby gifts, visits to the homebound, and peer support in times of crisis. Volunteers are always most welcome!
Our clergy want to know if any of our members are ill or in the hospital. If you know of someone who is in need of special attention, please contact the main office (650) 493-4661 or email any of the Beth Am clergy or the listed contact in the logged-in-only accessible section at the bottom of this page.
Beit R'fuah — Mental Health Support Group
Chevrah Kadisha — Burial Society
End of Life Care — Gesharim
Supporting Those Facing Addiction — Netivot
Mitzvah Meal Delivery
Tikvah Peer Support
Yad l'Yad — Friendly Visitors
Beit R'fuah (House of Healing): Beth Am’s support group for those coping with mental health issues and the family and friends who help and sustain them. The group usually meets the second Wednesday of each month, starting with a potluck dinner followed by sharing and discussion among participants. (See our Mental Health Resource Listing.) Watch the film House of Healing to find out how Beit R'fuah supports individuals and families at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, California. To support the film House of Healing, please visit betham.org/BRdonate.
Chevra Kadisha (Holy Burial Society): Known in Hebrew as the Chevra Kadisha, the burial society gathers together soon after a person dies and takes on the holy mitzvah of ritually preparing the deceased for burial. The process known as Taharah includes washing, dressing and laying the body in the casket to be ready for burial. In addition, our Chevra Kadisha performs Shmirah, guarding the body until it is buried. See Recommended Resources for Those Who Are Grieving and a guide about the Chevra Kadisha Jewish Burial Society.
Gesharim (Bridges) End of Life Care: A congregant-led initiative that offers a support system for Beth Am members facing the end of life. Through films, speakers, conferences and workshops, Gesharim provides opportunities for learning, discussion and compassionate support. Contact: Rachael Shea; Clergy Partner: Rabbi Sarah Weissman
Netivot — Pathways: A Beth Am Group Supporting Those Facing Addiction: For generations the subject of addiction has been shrouded in a veil of shame. Feelings such as guilt and embarrassment have kept many of us underground while seeking help. Addiction is a medically diagnosed disease and those impacted will be embraced by our community. Netivot is a group comprised of Beth Am recovering addicts and their loved ones, working to support individuals and their families. Our goal is to throw off the veil of shame and educate our community on the tools and resources to overcome all aspects of this disease.
Mitzvah Meal Delivery: Congregant volunteers bring home-cooked meals to members who are dealing with illness, hospitalization or family stress. Contact: mitzvahmeals@betham.org
Tikvah* (Hope) Peer Support: This program offers one-to-one emotional support for our members who are facing a life challenge. Trained volunteers assist members who are struggling with COVID-related challenges, job loss, bereavement, illness, divorce, a child in trouble or other difficult situations. The program matches congregants in need with a volunteer who is trained to provide compassionate support in times of crisis. All contacts are strictly confidential and may extend over several months. Download the Tikvah Peer Support brochure to learn more. Contact: tikvah@betham.org
*The Tikvah Program is a lay support program and does not replace professional counseling.
Yad L’Yad (Hand in Hand) — Friendly Visitors: Yad l’Yad offers friendly visits to congregants at risk of isolation. The committee was created in the spirit of the traditional Jewish Society for Visiting the Sick (Chevra Bikur Cholim) and provides congregant volunteers with practical and Jewish guidance for conducting this work, expressed by our mission: Yad l’Yad participants strive to facilitate loving kindness through regular connection with and between our fellow congregants at risk of isolation. We commit to learn and grow in our ability to offer a wholehearted presence with each other. (Report a visit.)
Sun, February 5 2023
14 Sh'vat 5783
Schedule

Beit R'fuah Meeting
Wednesday, Feb 8th 7:00p to 8:30pBeit R'fuah, House of Healing, welcomes all who are coping with mental illness themselves or who provide support for loved ones coping with mental disabilities.

Parent Circle
Sunday, Feb 12th 9:00a to 11:00aAll PreK-5th grade parents are welcome to come attend Parent Circle. We will meet monthly to discuss parenting challenges and to share ideas and resources with each other.

JDAIM Film Screening — "Through Our Eyes: Living with Aspergers"
Shabbat, Feb 18th 3:30p to 5:30pYoung adults with Asperger's Syndrome (now Autism Spectrum Disorder) share their stories to show life from their perspective. They discuss their everyday experiences and difficulties they face, and their hopes for the future. The film was produced by Alyssa Huber, a filmmaker and autism self-advocate who also has Asperger’s.

Beth Am Gesharim (Bridges) Presents Two Forums for Elders and/or Those Who Care for Them
Sunday, Feb 19th 3:30p to 5:00pTwo forums with our clergy and professional speakers. Attend one or both, if you are an elder or someone who cares for an elder.

Focus on Inclusion Month: Erev Shabbat Service With Speaker Stephanie Seeger
Friday, Feb 24th 6:15p to 7:30pStephanie grew up in Chicago and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in education. She began teaching in general education on the west side of Chicago in 1996 and continued teaching when she moved to California in 2001. She became interested in special education when her oldest son, Henry, started kindergarten and parents began asking for help with student and IEP support.

Beit R'fuah Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 8th 7:00p to 8:30pBeit R'fuah, House of Healing, welcomes all who are coping with mental illness themselves or who provide support for loved ones coping with mental disabilities.

Beth Am Gesharim (Bridges) Presents Two Forums for Elders and/or Those Who Care for Them
Sunday, Mar 12th 3:30p to 5:00pTwo forums with our clergy and professional speakers. Attend one or both, if you are an elder or someone who cares for an elder.

Beth Am Gesharim (Bridges) Presents a Wise Aging Forum
Wednesday, Mar 15th 2:00p to 3:00pPlease join these monthly conversations, where we look for wisdom in our Jewish tradition, as well as relevant modern sources. Each time, a specific topic will be briefly addressed by one of our clergy or a trained Wise Aging facilitator.

Parent Circle
Sunday, Mar 26th 9:00a to 11:00aAll PreK-5th grade parents are welcome to come attend Parent Circle. We will meet monthly to discuss parenting challenges and to share ideas and resources with each other.

Beth Am Gesharim (Bridges) Presents a Wise Aging Forum
Wednesday, Apr 12th 2:00p to 3:00pPlease join these monthly conversations, where we look for wisdom in our Jewish tradition, as well as relevant modern sources. Each time, a specific topic will be briefly addressed by one of our clergy or a trained Wise Aging facilitator.
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