The Elaine Breslow Institute Awarded Grant to Train Jewish Educators and Clergy on Addiction Prevention and Treatment

Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​With the $200,000 grant over three years from the Jewish Community Foundation (The Foundation), the Elaine Breslow Institute at Beit T'Shuvah (BTS), a faith-based recovery and rehabilitation program, will train hundreds of clergy and Jewish educators to identify and support those suffering from addiction or on the verge of addiction to seek help. "The Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles will enable Beit T'Shuvah to continue to spread its message of T'Shuvah, Torah and Redemption," says BTS CEO, Rabbi Mark Borovitz.

BTS expects that as a result of the program, participants will take a deeper look at their communities, themselves and their Judaism as a means to becoming more aware of addiction in their community and responding to it with confidence and skill.  BTS Educator, Rabbi Paul Steinberg, will be leading the Institute's efforts to partner with The Jewish Federation of Greater LA's Ezra Network, which provides social services within local synagogues.  The Institute will provide workshops and immersion programs teaching clergy and educators how to integrate a faith based approach to addiction treatment, the model in which Beit T'Shuvah was founded.

We are thrilled to support Beit T'Shuvah in its vital efforts to educate Jewish leaders on how to better counsel those suffering from addiction. Its faith-based approach to addiction issues is highly effective, and we look forward to watching the program grow.

Marvin I. Schotland, CEO and President of The Jewish Community Foundation

"This funding is the means by which our vision and Torah can become actualized into real programs for Jewish leaders who have the power to teach, affect, and heal," explains Rabbi Steinberg. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share this unique approach to treating addiction, which is a malady of the soul, and hopeful that it will result in many more lives saved."

The program began in 2014 with the goal of helping health-care professionals understand the validity of a spiritually or faith-based approached to addiction treatment. The Institute lead seminars with groups of physicians from UCLA Medical School and USC School of Pharmacy. Soon after, the Institute expanded its reach and conducted a five-day immersion program with Jewish educators involving didactic lectures, experiential learning, personal group reflection and face-to-face interaction with recovering addicts in the BTS program. "The outcome of the immersion was beyond expectation, with each member of the cohort expressing a personally transformative experience and committing to a continuing learning relationship with us," says Rabbi Steinberg. "The Foundation's new grant extends the effort to a whole new level, and we are so very grateful."

Beit T'Shuvah is one of nine local Jewish initiatives awarded this grant for meeting the needs of underserved populations, re-envisioning the roles of synagogues and religious leaders, and embracing technology and art to reach broader audiences. The Foundation's President and CEO, Marvin I. Schotland stated: "We are thrilled to support Beit T'Shuvah in its vital efforts to educate Jewish leaders on how to better counsel those suffering from addiction. Its faith-based approach to addiction issues is highly effective, and we look forward to watching the program grow. Our Cutting Edge Grant recipients use innovative techniques to strengthen our community, and their endeavors continue to make us proud sponsors of their programs."

The Elaine Breslow Institute has already scheduled immersion programs for October, December and February.  BTS CEO Rabbi Borovitz says, "The Foundation has been and continues to be a very supportive partner with us in moving forward our message of 'You Matter' and Living Well through Judaism. We are honored beyond words!"

About Beit T'Shuvah (Bate-t'shoo-vah)

Beit T'Shuvah is a nonprofit treatment center and education institution dedicated to guiding individuals and families toward a path of living well in order to recover from addiction. T'Shuvah translates to repentance and return. Beit T'Shuvah is hebrew for The House of Return. The program started 30 years ago and through charitable donations continues to provide treatment to people who have limited or no financial resources. www.beittshuvah.org

About The Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1 billion entrusted to it by over 1,200 families. The Foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. Over the past 25 years, The Foundation has distributed $1 billion in grants to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. www.jewishfoundationla.org

About The Ezra Network

Started with a Cutting Edge grant from the Jewish Community Foundation, the Ezra Network is an initiative of The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles in partnership with Jewish Family Service, Bet Tzedek Legal Services and Jewish Vocational Service bringing free culturally sensitive and geographically convenient social services to Jewish individuals and families in 19 synagogues throughout Los Angeles. http://www.jewishla.org/pages/ezra-network

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