(This program is intended for mental health providers only.)

In the last few years, Jewish mental health professionals have experienced an alarming increase in antisemitic language and actions from clients and colleagues, at professional conferences and within professional associations.

Social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and others in the mental health field are grappling with how to best respond to these situations — or whether to respond at all — while maintaining professionalism and preserving their Jewish identity.

Join us Sunday, June 7th in Bethesda, MD for a morning of compelling conversation with professionals who are at the forefront of this issue. We will be joined by clinical psychologist Miri Bar-Halpern, PsyD, Director of Trauma Training and Services with Parents for Peace. Dr. Bar-Halpern has spoken frequently and written extensively on the egregious claims that Zionism should be treated as a mental illness and has educated mental health providers about the harm of traumatic invalidation.

We will also hear from local and national leaders working to address this crisis:

Jeff Mendelsohn, Associate Vice President, Advocacy & Civic Engagement, The Jewish Federations of North America

Andrea Yudell, LICSW, LCSW-C, co-founder, The Jewish Social Work Consortium

Matt Biel, M.D., M.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Director of the Thrive Center for Children, Families and Communities at Georgetown University Medical Center

Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet with fellow social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists in the DMV to learn from each other, share experiences and determine how to best coordinate advocacy within professional organizations to counter antisemitism.

A light breakfast will be provided. There is no cost to attend. The venue will be shared with registrants 48-72 hours before the event.

Accommodations: ADA Accessible Venue

Organization: Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington

Livestream or Virtual: No, it’s not