Seniors who live independently faced impossible challenges due to the pandemic. How does that change your planning for the future? Seniors in our community had an exceptionally difficult year. Those living independently faced new challenges. They couldn’t rely on the usual support from visiting family and friends. They were isolated and managed their household tasksRead More
by Max Balakoff Content Warning: This blog post contains information that might be upsetting to some readers. References to and/or discussion of inter-relationship abuse and victim-blaming follow. It’s been an unprecedented year for all of us. We are a world trying to process great loss, a world in mourning. Some of us lost loved ones,Read More
Immigration has been a hot topic in media and political debates. Many of us are not aware, however, of the immigration process undocumented people, especially unaccompanied children, experience or even what brings them to the U.S. in the first place. Unaccompanied children (UC) is a term describing children under the age of 18 who comeRead More
Human trafficking forms complex webs of exploitation and pain. In their efforts to access a safer and better life, survivors must juggle potential risks to their health, safety, immigration status, families, and more. When organizations, such as JFS, assist survivors of human trafficking, the care we provide must account for the many challenges facing ourRead More
It’s the holiday season! Between parties, gifts, sweets, and treats, many of our clients are filled with more holiday dread than holiday cheer. Long to-do lists, family dynamics, and social expectations can transform a time of joy and laughter into one of doubt and misery. Our therapists put together a list of three ways toRead More
In 1990, the US Congress established the first full week in October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). It’s a time for advocates of mental health, whether those who experience mental illness or practitioners who serve them, to amplify their message en masse. Mental illnesses impact millions of Americans, and their experiences are as variedRead More
When it comes to discussions about suicide, safety planning must be a part of that conversation. Why? Well, as Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing for failure.” If you experience suicidal thoughts and/or attempted suicide in the past, you are at risk of attempt again. Coming up with a preventative safetyRead More
Depression is a difficult and pervasive illness. Many in our community, educated about and knowledgeable of their own experiences with the illness, are struggling . JFS therapists also hear from others, without any history of, or familiarity with, depression, who wonder and fear they are depressed. The reflection below, written by JFS’ Board President, BetsyRead More
Telemental health is now synonymous with pandemic life. In New York Times articles and emails from your healthcare provider, health care professionals are encouraging the public to begin, or continue, counseling via telemental health care. But what should you expect when talking to a counselor remotely via telemental health? Generally, only the means of communicationRead More
This month, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people will celebrate themselves and honor the people who catalyzed the Gay Liberation Movement with the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Pride month is a time of both self-affirmation and reflection for the queer community. Despite the enormous obstacles the LGBTQ community has overcome to secure their rights,Read More
Jewish Community Open Letter to the African-American Community
By Camila Sobral *The newest member of the JFS staff shares how her family celebrates during coronavirus social distancing My family, like many Jewish families around the world, is celebrating Passover through Zoom. Even before the pandemic, my family couldn’t celebrate together because we all live on differentRead More
The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, and the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana have partnered with a number of area synagogues to create a Jewish community response helpline program for problems related to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Our collective goal is to provide connection during a time ofRead More
JFS is prepared to meet the needs of our community and clients to the fullest and safest extent possible during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are in communication with civic leaders on how to best serve our clients. We strive to maintain operations while prioritizing the health and safety of our clients and staff. To thisRead More
By Fran Dinehart, LCSW Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique used to address issues resulting from trauma. Clients who struggle to participate in talk therapy might find EMDR more successful as they are not asked to discuss their traumatic memories in depth. EMDR treatment employs eight phases. I previously shared a caseRead More
Please join Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans for The Conversation, an educational seminar on senior care planning and the importance of ‘conversing’ with family and health care professionals on topics including senior housing, living wills, advance care directives, health care and more. Our special guest speaker isRead More
By Ruth Goldberg, LCSW-BACS, ACSW, BCD In observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, held annually in January, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans is sharing the story of one of our clients, a human trafficking survivor. While based on a true story, names and certain details are changed to protect theirRead More
By Fran Dinehart, LCSW Recently I was privileged to attend a training on Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) hosted by Imagine Recovery, and am excited to integrate what I have learned into my therapy practice. Although DBT was developed for people with borderline personality disorder, it also borrows widely from Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionRead More
by Lauren Rudzis, Development & Communications Coordinator If there was ever a time to focus on your well-being, well congratulations, today is your day! July 24th is recognized as International Self-Care Day. However, ‘self-care’ can be emphasized beyond it’s designated celebration. In our busy lifestyles, we find ourselves in a whirlwind ofRead More
by Dr. Katie Godshall, LCSW-BACS; Teen Life Counts Program Coordinator Over the past week, Louisiana geared up for what was forecasted to be a record “rain-event”. Thankfully the impact was minimal in most parts, but the significant effect remains as an invisible weight on the shoulders of many who have experienced damaging hurricanes, storms,Read More
The Following remarks were given by JFS Director of Clinical Services, Rachel Lazarus Eriksen, LCSW-BACS; at the Hadassah and NCJW Spring Study Group “If Only I’d Had A Plan… The Facts of Life and Death” Tips and Tools for Our Families and Ourselves on Tuesday, April 30th, 2019. OVERVIEW Thank you forRead More
By Lauren Rudzis, Development & Communications Coordinator Looking for a meaningful way to kick-start 2019? Perhaps an activity that makes an impact on the Greater New Orleans community? Consider volunteering with Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans (JFS)! By volunteering with JFS, you have the unique opportunity to help others and partner withRead More
Imagine living without the hope of finding help, simply because you can’t afford it. Sadly, this is the case for many in the Greater New Orleans community. Vulnerable families and individuals are struggling with the financial inability to receive affordable compassionate care. For over 70 years, Jewish Family Service of Greater NewRead More
By Fran Dinehart, LCSW Social Worker & Case Manager One of my counseling clients came for treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A friend drowned during a recent beach trip and since then she had panic attacks around large bodies of water. I took her history, identified her stressors, and together we created a targetingRead More
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans is devastated by the horrific act of violence and the senseless loss of eleven lives at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA this past weekend. Establishments of worship are meant to be safe havens that shelter those from the storm of hatred. Our thoughts and prayersRead More
By Sarah Villien, JFS Client & Donor Services Specialist “A wife who loses a husband is called a widow. A husband who loses a wife is called a widower. A child who loses his parents is called an orphan. There is no word for a parent who loses a child. That’s how awful theRead More
By Melissa Stewart, LMSW; JFS Teen Life Counts Program Coordinator September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is a month to remember those who have been affected by suicide and to share information about prevention. Suicide is an epidemic in the United States. The most recent data from the CDC shows that in 2016,Read More
by Katie Godshall, LCSW-BACS, & Jennifer Keith, JFS Behavioral Health Intern The new school year is upon us! Parents are joyfully stuffing backpacks while kids look on in utter disbelief that summer is over. Whether you are a student or a parent of a student, you may be feeling the onset of New-School-Year-Anxiety. Fortunately,Read More
by Katie Godshall, LCSW-BACS, JFS Intern Program Supervisor Many people associate the Fourth of July with hot dogs, hamburgers, family gatherings and fireworks. We talk about the sacrifices made to maintain a sense of freedom and then set out explosives well into the night and continue throughout the weekend. While this may be funRead More