At my son’s friend’s middle school, a student came down with leukemia after fall semester. Fortunately, he went into remission in spring and was able to return to school. All the students were called to an assembly before he returned to explain why this student would be without hair, what had happened to him, and…
The Yoke of Addiction
Sometimes the most powerful way to explain something complicated is through the use of allegory. In this short film, these animators poetically capture the devastating and imprisoning yoke of addiction using a kiwi bird’s innocent desire for pleasure and flight. Although any single telling risks oversimplification, each of us can connect to the very human…
Facts and Myths about Teen Suicide: Why Starting The Conversation is Critical (Part 2)
For Part 1 of this article, please click here. Start the conversation Two of the biggest misconceptions regarding suicide are that talking about depression increases depression, and that saying the word “suicide” out loud plants the idea of suicide in a person’s brain. “Sit down with your child. It’s starting up a conversation where you…
Facts and Myths about Teen Suicide: Why Starting the Conversation is Critical (Part 1)
Suicide ideation — thoughts about or a preoccupation with suicide — isn’t just a term to me; I believed my life was worthless at age 17. It took me hours to fall asleep, and I saw no reason to leave the warmth of my bed and attend school. My parents brought me to a counselor,…
Is Anxiety Genetic?
I can’t count how many times I have said to a client who is expressing a great deal of anxiety – anxiety way out of proportion to the situation, tinged with dread and reminiscent of early Woody Allen movies – “Oh, it’s genetic,” with that familiar flip of the wrist. But wait a minute. What…
Dignity, Service and the Divine
“Please – Show me Your Kavod (Essence/Presence/Glory),” Moses pleads to God in a moment of personal vulnerability after the sin of the Golden Calf. A brief interpretive summary of God’s reply: “You can’t see My Face and live. Instead, I will show you My Attributes, and by imitating My Attributes, starting with showing kindness and…
ABOUT
JFS is a 501(c)(3)
©2014
CONTACT US
(206) 461-3240
