With funding from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (www.hfnj.org) and participating synagogues, JFS of MetroWest assigns an experienced, New Jersey State licensed social worker to provide on-site consultation and social work services to participating MetroWest area synagogues.

Participating MetroWest area synagogues currently include:

• Congregation Agudath Israel, Caldwell
• Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield
• Congregation Ahawas Achim B'nai Jacob & David, West Orange
• Temple B'nai Abraham, Livingston
• Temple B'nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
• B'nai Shalom,West Orange  
• Temple Ner Tamid, Bloomfield
• Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel, South Orange

The JFS Synagogue Social Work Consultants are placed at the synagogues for a regularly scheduled number of hours per week, where he/she is available to provide:

• Consultation on mental health and social service perspectives for Rabbi(s), Educators and other members of the synagogue professional staff.
• Consultation and/or direct assistance to relevant synagogue committees such as the Caring Committee or the Social Action Committee.
• Training for synagogue professionals and/or lay leaders to enhance their capacity to identify and respond to the needs of congregants.
• Facilitation of psycho-educational workshops, seminars or conferences.
• The provision of direct social work services for members of the congregation including any or all of the following:
  • Crisis intervention
  • Brief, time limited counseling to identify problem(s) and facilitate connection to the most appropriate JFS or other community resource.
  • Case Management
  • Information and Referral

For additonal information on the JFS Synagogue Social Work Consultation Service, please call the JFS Intake Department at (973)765-9050 or by email at synagogue@jfsmetrowest.org