This month sees the launch of a brand new initiative in the
United Kingdom, the establishment of NEFESH U.K. -- a
national network of Orthodox mental health professionals.
NEFESH U.K. will be the latest chapter of NEFESH -- the
International Network of Orthodox Mental Health
Professionals. Membership is open to observant Orthodox men
and women, with two membership options available. Full
membership is open to mental health professionals such as
counselors, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists,
and associate membership is open to those working in allied
fields such as rabbonim, carers, volunteers, educators, and
the like.
At present NEFESH has members spanning the United States,
Europe, Canada, Brazil and Israel. The opening of a new
chapter in the UK will provide a framework for existing
members in the UK and hopefully encourage further members to
join by promoting awareness of activities and benefits.
NEFESH U.K. has been piloted by Rabbi Jonathan Dove, who has
made great efforts to seek the advice and counsel of leading
dayanim and rabbonim in the U.K. Among those
consulted were Dayan Ch. Ehrentreu (London Beth Din); Rabbi
Chaim Halpern (Orthodox Union); Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein
(Federation Beth Din); HaRav B. Rakow, (the Gateshead Rov)
and Dayan O. Westheim (Manchester Beth Din). All the
dayanim and rabbonim mentioned, as well as Rabbi Dr.
A. Levy (Spanish & Portuguese Congregation, with the
Education Portfolio for the European Conference of Rabbis),
were supportive of this new venture and gave it their
blessing for success.
Internationally, both Rabbi Dovid Cohen -- rav and
posek from Brooklyn N.Y. -- as well as the renowned
Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski are on the NEFESH Rabbinical
Advisory Board.
NEFESH International performs three primary functions:
It organizes an Annual International Conference; it publishes
an international newsletter entitled "Nefesh News"; and it
publishes an international directory of Orthodox mental
health professionals.
NEFESH U.K. aims to organize informative regional and
national seminars on mental health issues; to publish a
national directory of Orthodox mental health professionals in
the U.K.; to promote the Annual International Conference in
the U.K. and to arrange for contributions to be made from the
UK to the international newsletter
NEFESH U.K. will provide a forum for professionals to meet,
network and exchange views on mental health issues. There
will also be opportunities to hear from leading rabbonim and
dayanim regarding issues of halacha and
hashkofo connected to mental health and associated
subjects. The directory will serve to provide information for
those looking to make appropriate referrals to observant
Orthodox mental health professionals.
For further information regarding membership or activities of
NEFESH U.K. please contact Rabbi Dove on Tel: 0171 388-0801,
Tel/Fax 0171 380-0207.
