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Watch: Camp Safety & Mental Health Training
TRIGGER WARNING! Sexual Abuse.
Some wounds are invisible but run unbearably deep. They are the kinds of wounds that silence people, that make them question their worth, their identity, and their place in the world. And yet, even in the darkest pain, there is strength in reaching out, and there is healing in being heard.
Rachel* is a 19 year-old woman who lives at home with her parents and siblings; but for years, home has not felt like a safe place. As a child, Rachel was sexually abused by an older brother who lived in the house. The trauma stayed buried for years, but the pain never disappeared. As she grew older, the memories began to resurface more vividly—intrusive thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD that disrupted her daily life.
Rachel didn’t know what to do with all she was feeling. She had tried to manage on her own, but it became too much to carry alone. Encouraged by her family’s rav, she gathered her courage and contacted Amudim.
She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she knew she needed someone to help her make sense of what she was experiencing. She needed a trusted voice to reassure her that she was not to blame and that healing was possible.
Our case manager listened with care, helping Rachel identify her next steps. We connected her with a trauma-informed therapist experienced in working with survivors of sexual abuse. We also provided her with information on a support group where she could be surrounded by others who understood, and we gave her the name of a rabbi she could speak to regarding her halachic and hashkafic questions, questions she had been carrying quietly for years.
Rachel is now in the middle of her healing journey. Therapy is not easy, but she shows up. She’s learning that the process takes time, and that she deserves that time. She is beginning to believe that she is worthy of safety, of peace, of a life not defined by what happened to her. And she has found the strength to face what happened and begin to move past it.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is a phone call away and here to help.
*Names and details have been changed for privacy purposes
Each week, Amudim fields calls covering a wide range of crises and addressing various human concerns, including addiction, depression, abuse, health and domestic emergencies and many others. We track the calls and breakdown of issues for many reasons, foremost of which is to consistently improve and strengthen our knowledge and ability to address community’s needs.
Darcheinu and Our Path SEL at Think Tank XII
This week, Darcheinu and Our Path SEL were proud to participate in the CoJDS Annual Summer Think Tank XII in Cedarhurst, NY. With this year’s theme — “Recruitment & Retention: Leadership Strategies for Success” — educators, administrators, and thought leaders gathered to explore the future of Jewish education.
It was incredible connecting with principals from across the country in our partnering schools, as well as meeting many new ones who share our mission.
Our banner highlighted our TORAH-BASED Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative — a powerful reminder that academic success begins with emotional strength and values-based learning.
👉 Visit darcheinu.org to learn more or bring this transformative program to your school.
Strengthen your camp team with
Camp Safety &
Mental Health Training
Want your staff to create a safer, more supportive camp?
Rabbi Avi Landa — licensed counselor and Amudim’s Director of Education — delivers dynamic, real-world training that equips counselors to spot red flags, handle crises, and be the trusted adults campers need.
In this powerful and practical training, Rabbi Avi Landa — licensed counselor and Director of Education at Amudim — walks counselors through the essential responsibilities of their role. From setting emotional boundaries and addressing bullying, to recognizing signs of mental health struggles and knowing when to act, this video is more than a checklist.
It’s a wake-up call.
Whether you’re new to camp or a returning staff member, Being the Adult will reshape the way you see your impact — and give you the tools to make this summer safer, stronger, and more meaningful for every camper under your care.
Topics Covered:
– Why campers see you as an adult (even if you don’t feel like one)
– What to do when a camper confides in you
– Recognizing bullying and how to respond
– Self-harm, suicide awareness, and mandated next steps
– The incredible power of positive role modeling
🎯 Ideal for: Camp staff, division heads, admin teams, and year-round youth leaders.