#59: Healing In the Wilderness
Tune into Episode 59 of The Bridging Connections Podcast showcasing the work of Bamidbar Wilderness Therapy, supporting mental health, wellness and resilience in the Jewish community.
“We already have so much tradition that connects to evidence based therapeutic concepts. Jewish prayer can be a powerful support for regulating our nervous system.”
BaMidbar
Featuring: Jory Hanselman Mayschak, Founder and CEO
Building the Resilience to Thrive
Through a variety of modalities, BaMidbar supports mental health and wellness and envisions a Jewish community that actively supports its members in building the resilience to thrive.
BaMidbar has a 6-14 week summer residential therapeutic program that focuses on using the environment to support skill building and self exploration while bringing in Jewish tradition and storytelling to explore meaning, values and purpose. They employ a multidisciplinary approach which integrates experiential education, Jewish learning, and mental health frameworks. Bamidbar focuses on four core outcomes:
Improve mental health
Boost resilience
Strengthen circle of support (family, peers, mental health professionals)
Increase understanding of how Judaism supports mental well being
Additionally, BaMidbar offers mental health and wellness retreats, fellowships and internships and partners with a variety of organizations to offer prevention programs, and create custom programs. Their programs are based on prevention, education and treatment.
BaMidbar’s mission is to ensure that Jewish youth and young adults have the confidence, skills, and community support to navigate life’s challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.
BaMidbar envisions a Jewish community that actively supports its members in cultivating mental health and wellness.
They achieve the mission and vision through community education and by providing wilderness-based journeys of self-discovery, hope, and healing.
Their programs support and provide:
Jewish young adults struggling with mental health challenges through immersive, wilderness-based, Therapeutic Expeditions.
All Jewish teens and young adults, regardless of their mental health history, through Wellness Programs focused on building resilience through increased self-confidence, skill-building, and healthy relationships.
Professional Development for Jewish community professionals looking to expand their mental health literacy and explore facilitation through the lens of social and emotional growth.
“It’s not about bringing a Jewish lens to wellness, it’s about bringing a wellness lens to Judaism.”
Definitions and Clarifications
Bamidbar - in the wilderness
Hakoret Hatov - literally remember the good, Jewish practice of gratitude
Organizations Mentioned in the Episode:
