Jonathan Katz
Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services
Telephone: 212-399-2685, x232
Email: show
Jonathan Katz serves as Director of the Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs, a division of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. A graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work, Jonathan has 33 years experience in Jewish communal service, as social worker, project director and administrator. He is particularly interested in integrating professional, volunteer and mutual support services, and combining mental health and spiritually-focused approaches to human services.
From Chemical High To Spiritual High
Addiction, Recovery, and Judaism
Jonathan Katz,
Marilyn Penrose
Identity and Responsibility
Explore how Jewish spiritual resources, including rituals, prayers, texts, psalms, traditions, concepts, and values can promote recovery from addiction. Experience from JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others) and 12-step programs will illustrate how to attain both a “spiritual high” and the groundedness to meet life’s challenges. For people in recovery, friends and loved ones of those in recovery, and those who provide treatment, counseling, and spiritual guidance to them.
Death, Drugs, and Violence
Jewish Responses
Jonathan Katz,
Caryn Green,
Marge Eiseman,
Laura Gold
As a people with a history of strife and loss, Jews are used to talking about violence and loss in global or historical terms. But what about individual struggle? How do we deal with issues of drug abuse, homelessness and violence in our communities? Is there such a thing as a “Jewish response?”
With Sweet Honey from the Rock
Spiritual Supports in Times of Illness and Loss
Identity and Responsibility,
Ritual and Prayer
Illness, loss, caregiving and bereavement can be extremely taxing spiritually, physically and emotionally. There are many effective ways to support the spirit, and comfort body and mind. Rita J. Kaplan's Jewish Connections Programs (through the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services) have developed an array of support groups, workshops, holiday programs and activities that make use of words, songs and actions found throughout Jewish tradition. This interactive workshop shows how to use these resources to uplift and comfort.
