Caring Community

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 at (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
Caregivers Sh’ma Groups
Chevra Kadisha — Burial Society
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 on Zoom 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.

Caregiver Sh'ma Groups: Are you caring for an elder or spouse or loved one? If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. You can take part in a Sh’ma Group — not therapy, but a safe and friendly virtual space for sharing stories. This group format has proved successful here at Beth Am, helping us to start meaningful, supportive conversations. You will have guidelines for suggested topics and respectful interaction. You can easily form or join a group; the leadership duties are minimal and help from clergy is continually available. Groups are forming now, with meeting being held in person. Join in! Contact: Rabbi Heath Watenmaker

Chevra Kadisha (Holy Burial Society): Known in Hebrew as the chevra kadisha, Beth Am's 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. We also are here to support mourners in our community. One specific way we do this is to deliver yartzheit candles to commemorate the first anniversary of a death. See Recommended Resources for Those Who Are Grieving and information about the history and role of the chevra kadisha.

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 volunteers offer friendly visits to congregants at risk of isolation. In the spirit of the traditional Jewish Society for Visiting the Sick (Chevra Bikur Cholim), it provides volunteers with guidance for visiting and matches them with congregants. Participants bring chesed, loving kindness, to fellow congregants at risk of isolation. We learn from them and from each other, growing in caring for others. Contact: yadlyad@betham.org