At The Well: Navigating Women's Mental Health through Ancient Jewish Wisdom and Modern Practices

Since 2015, At The Well has been addressing women's mental health and wellness through Jewish rituals that have always existed but were never widely taught or invested in. With the growing challenges of disconnection and isolation today, ATW’s collaborative model delivers ancient wisdom directly into the hands of women seeking to clm it. Many of these women seek wellness from a spiritual standpoint outside of traditional Jewish contexts; ATW offers them a pathway into these experiences.

ATW teaches and enables women to create new practices and rituals by learning about Jewish wisdom. Women then lead others in accessing these ancient rituals, adapting them for modern times. The organization's resources, large-scale events, and Well Circles small groups of 6-12 women provide a community care wellness.

Individuals share that participating in ATW programs has helped them reclm Judsm as their own rather than the Judsm they learned during childhood. Learning about lunar calars, Rosh Chodesh, and month meanings has been particularly inspiring to many, adding meaning to their journeys of self-discovery and connection with feminism within Judsm.

Beyond Well Circles, ATW offers Big Gathers - bi-monthly online events that serve as an introduction to the monthly practice of Rosh Chodesh. These gatherings attract around 100 participants who often act as co-hosts, demonstrating ATW's collaborative leadership approach.

Moon Manuals are digital guides offering themes, activities, and rituals associated with each Hebrew month. Created by ATW staff and contributors from historically marginalized communities under the guidance of their Scholar in Residence, these manuals include writing exercises, singing, intention-setting, and movement to create sacred space.

In one year alone, more than 1,700 women joined Well Circles while over 1,800 engaged with Moon Manual readers. ATW's resources have been especially impactful during the pandemic when feelings of loneliness and isolation were exacerbated. A survey by Harvard Graduate School of Education indicates that nearly a third of Americans felt serious loneliness compared to one-fifth before the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address these needs, ATW quickly scaled its offerings in response to the moment. This includes launching:

• Monthly Biblical Babes programs with co-sponsored events and Spanish options.

• Relaunched Rosh Chodesh coaching that prs new network members with volunteer coaches for guidance on leading a Well Circle or developing their own Jewish practice.

The organization ss dly text messages to over 850 people during the Omer, promoting reflections on each day. ATW is poised for growth through its proven method of:

• Promoting Jewish learning by and tools rooted in ancient wisdom.

• Building community belonging with connections that enable self-discovery and spiritual support among women.

• Encouraging leadership development through co-owned initiatives like facilitating Well Circles, co-hosting public programs, contributing online resources, or coaching others.

Enhanced well-being has a significant impact on personal lives and society. At The Well connect women to their own identities, communities, and Judsm. The strategic plan for the next three years will solidify this mission's foundation, empowering future generations with ancient Jewish practices as accessible paths to wellness and spirituality.

The Jim Joseph Foundation supports these efforts at At The Well.

Prev

Next
This article is reproduced from: https://jimjosephfoundation.org/news-blogs/at-the-well-engaging-more-women-at-the-intersection-of-jewish-practice-mental-health-and-wellness/

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.ko74.com/Female_images/At_The_Well_Women_s_Mental_Health_Jewish_Rituals.html