About Gesher
Gesher is a community-based organization offering short-term support for families within the Orthodox community facing mental and emotional health crises. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of community and collaboration, we provide a holistic approach to crisis intervention, focusing on the individual, the family, and the broader community's interconnected needs.
While we recognize that while there is no replacement for clinical treatment, an effective solution has to account for more than that - it involves a supportive family and community. Gesher seeks to approach each case from a big-picture perspective, taking into consideration the family and community and finding a work to work in tandem toward stability and wellness.
Helmed by mental health professionals with a deep understanding of the community needs, each case is carefully considered, a care plan is developed and all the relevant parties or resources are recruited to play a role in the desired outcome. Gesher’s support includes case management with clinical oversight, interdisciplinary meeting facilitation, in-house family support and access to emergency funding.
Holistic Crisis Intervention Approach
Expert-Led Case Management
Community & Rabbinical Collaboration
Emergency Resources & Funding
Gesher
At Gesher, we understand the complexities of mental, marital, and emotional crises. We stand as a bridge over turbulent waters, connecting individuals and families to the resources they need to navigate their challenges and overcome crises.
Our team of experts, with the help of a multidisciplinary advisory board, carefully considers each case and devises a detailed path toward reconciliation and stabilization of the family.
Our hands-on approach includes close collaboration with mental health experts, and our caseworkers advocate tirelessly on behalf of our clients, ensuring access to the necessary support for recovery and integration into the community.
A Bridge Over Turbulent Waters
Bridging Clinical Wellness and Community Integration
Our approach transcends traditional clinical intervention by considering the wider impacts and influences on an individual's well-being. We recognize the essential role of a supportive family and community in the journey towards mental and emotional health.
The individual and family is at the heart of everything we do - providing them with the support, resources, and encouragement to make progress and maximize the available resources. We consider their resources and advocate on their behalf.
We will work closely with Rabbonim and Askanim while maintaining strict confidentiality, providing a framework that considers all the interconnected needs of the individual, the family, and the community.
Our Leadership
Hershey Rosenberg
Executive DIrector
Mrodechai Neuman
Clinical DIrector
Advisory Board
Rabbi Shabse Kestenbaum
Rebbetzin B. Teitelbaum
Avi Mendelowits
Yaakov Davidowits
Pearl Itzkowits
FAQ
When at least one family member is undergoing a crisis that threatens to break the
equilibrium of an otherwise functional family. Examples include instances such as the aftermath of a postpartum psychosis event, marital strife caused by a period of joblessness and depression, or perhaps a child experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis affecting the family as a whole.
Gesher is offering temporary intervention needed for families undergoing crisis. The criteria to qualify for Gesher services are:
Crisis = There is an acute event that calls for immediate intervention—without which
the family stability could be seriously jeopardized.
Short-term = The situation is not chronic and could likely be resolved with the proper
interventions, within 6-12 months.
Systemic = The current situation affects a family system, not just one individual on their
own.
Our team of experienced professionals conducts compassionate, confidential intake interviews to understand each unique situation. We develop tailored care plans considering all relevant factors, guiding families toward resolution and healing.
Gesher is a community organization that facilitates mental health and family support with a comprehensive approach. While Gesher is not a licensed mental health clinic and doesn’t offer clinical services, our staff includes licensed professionals, and we work in close collaboration with therapists across various fields. However, we are committed to strict confidentiality and professional conduct.
A young couple grappled with severe childhood trauma, putting their marriage and emotional well-being at risk. Gesher provided them with comprehensive support, focusing on healing from past wounds and rebuilding their relationship through specialized therapy and community resources.
Overcoming Childhood Trauma Together
After a young mother was hospitalized due to severe psychological distress, she found herself unable to function at home, leaving her children in need of care. Gesher intervened with in-home support and arranged for the children to be hosted by compassionate community members, ensuring the family remained intact and supported during the mother's recovery process.
Support Through Post-Hospitalization
An individual faced the dual challenges of an eating disorder and substance use, compounded by joblessness and hopelessness. Previous attempts at rehabilitation had failed. Gesher provided a lifeline by connecting them with effective treatment options and a supportive network, focusing on holistic recovery and reintegration into the community.
Navigating Mental Health and Substance Use
A 40-year-old struggled with OCD, anxiety, depression, and BPD, experiencing 20 years of unsuccessful therapy and reaching the brink of suicide. Gesher's intervention involved developing a new, comprehensive care plan that finally offered hope and a path forward through a combination of clinical support and community engagement.
Bringing Hope to a Family Facing OCD and Depression
A family was thrown into turmoil when one member experienced a first episode of psychosis, leading to joblessness, substance use, and a strain on marital relations. Gesher's approach centered on addressing the immediate crisis while fostering a supportive environment for recovery, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family and marital stability.
Restoring Balance Amidst First Episode Psychosis
Case Studies
