WJCS News

We join the country in shock and sadness that in the course of two weeks we are once again facing a tragic and senseless loss of life in the Thousand Oaks, CA shooting at The Borderline yesterday. Our hearts are saddened for the families and friends of the victims.

We're all deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with the families of those who were killed and injured. 

October is Bullying Prevention Month, a topic that is very much on the minds of many schoolchildren. Statistics show that 35% of children have been bullied at school and 30% of young people have reported that they have bullied others.

The WJCS 26th Annual Edythe Kurz Conference scheduled for Thurday, November 1, 2018 will focus on Recovery-Oriented Approaches to Psychosis. The Keynote speaker will be Stephen Smith, PhD, Director of Training at MHA Westchester. Dr. Smith is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in psychological treatments for psychosis.

A young African American woman stood at the podium, bravely telling the story of her experience with domestic violence for the first time in public. Several in the audience wiped away tears as she spoke of how it took her almost getting killed before she was able to walk away from the relationship. “People tried to tell me, but I didn’t want to listen,” she said sadly, shaking her head.

Everyone wants to feel accepted for who they are and what they believe, feel and value. Most people look to belong, to be part of something larger than themselves, where there is a sense of community and “home”. Our synagogues and religious schools can and have provided a spiritual home for its members, a center where families can worship together and celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays.  

With the country’s attention and conversation focused on testimonies surrounding accusations of sexual abuse, Liane Nelson, Ph.D., Director of WJCS’s Trager Lemp Center for Treating Trauma & Promoting Resilience, offers recommendations for victims of sexual abuse who are considering talking with others about their experience for the first time.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Yet being knowledgeable about the signs of someone who is suicidal and knowing what to do under such circumstances is something that needs to be on our minds throughout the year.