This week, Rabbi Miriam is joined by her friend, chevruta and therapist, Abi Symons.
Watch along here:
Rabbi Miriam explains further:
"Bo is a dark sedra and perfectly chosen for @jami_uk mental health Shabbat.
"It was great to study the parasha with @abishrugs, a mental health professional, friend and chevruta. We learnt how commentators describe the plague of hoshech, darkness, as a heavy, fog-like, all-encompassing gloom, also known as "afeila". Rashi says that people could not move in this darkness for not just 3 but 6 days, and Rambam describes one of its qualities as extinguishing flames, so the Egyptians had no agency to dispel the darkness around them. They were profoundly lonely and isolated.
"What do we do with this description of mental illness? What wisdom does the Torah give us to help ourselves and others get out of such a plague? Well, it's just that: hoshech or afeila, darkness, is a plague. We can destigmatise it by naming it as a plague, facing it when it's within ourselves, and reaching out to others when they are suffering, to lessen the loneliness and isolation, even by just a bit. We ALL have mental health."
Rabbi Miriam continues with an invitation:
If you're in Borehamwood this shabbat, come along to seuda, talk and musical havdallah around the piano with @kehillat_nashira hope to see you there!
Details as follows:
Connection Over Perfection: A Mental Health Shabbat Conversation
Join us on Shabbat afternoon (please note updated timing) for pastries, hot drinks, and a conversation with Amy Davidow, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, for JAMI's Mental Health Shabbat.
📍 Location: Family Lorie Home⏰ Time:
4:15 PM – Arrival & Nosh (pastries and hot drinks)
4:45 PM – "Connection Over Perfection" Talk with Amy Davidow
🎶 Concluding with a musical Havdalah around the piano
Amy's session will look at how to take care of our own mental health and that of others around us, of all ages. Relevant for adults and teens, parents and those who are not parents, whether or not you have experience with mental health issues - Amy's approach is that "we all have mental health". For those with their own personal experience, the session will be crafted so as not to be triggering.
Amy will give guidance for how to reach out to someone when they are suffering, encouraging us not to focus too much on getting it right but to value human connection.
👶 Childcare available! Ruby Isaacson will be on hand with games and activities for little ones, so parents can fully engage in the talk.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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