RECOVER YOUR PASSION DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE THE BEIT T’SHUVAH 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
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Table of Contents 3 Philosophy Mission Vision 4 Passion & Purpose 5 You Matter 6 The Secret to Our Success 7 Sustainability & Scalability 8 The Place for Relevant Judaism Programs 10 Surf Meditation 10 Mind Body Living 11 Run to Save a Soul 13 Sondra & Marvin Smalley Music in Recovery 14 Partners in Prevention 15 Freedom Song 16 Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center 17 BTS Communications 18 Alternative Sentencing 18 Right Action Gambling 19 Raising New Generations of Therapists 20 Family Wellness 21 The Hal Wiseman Thrift Store 22 Beit T’Shuvah Facts 23 Achievements & Accomplishments 24 Statement of Activities 25 Performance & Results 26 Board Members / Staff 27 Foundations / Corporate Sponsors 2
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Philosophy Mission Vision Our Philosophy Addiction is a symptom of a divided self; an unhealthy dependence on substances or compulsive activities to provide a temporary sense of wholeness and wellbeing. It is a “dis-ease” of body, mind, soul and spirit. Recovery therefore requires an integrative approach. The Integrative Recovery Model at Beit T’Shuvah is a unique blend of Jewish spirituality, cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step philosophy and the creative arts. The ambiance of the residential setting is a both therapeutic and communal.
Our Mission Our mission is to restore lost souls and return them to themselves, their families and the community through a healing community of Jewish spirituality, 12 Step recovery and psychotherapy.
Our Vision Our vision is to reduce the incidence of addiction and other harmful behaviors through individual and family education. The Beit T’Shuvah campus is located in West Los Angeles. The facility is a homey setting where approximately 120 residents interact with clinical staff in a healing atmosphere that emphasizes faith-based recovery and the values of the Jewish community. Addiction is a disease of the body, mind and spirit and Beit T’Shuvah offers a dynamic program to meet the individual needs of each resident in every stage of recovery. Beit T’Shuvah
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Over time we have come to recognize that we offer much more than recovery from addiction. We are providing people the opportunity to “recover their passion and discover their purpose.”
Passion and Purpose Twenty-five years ago, I became one of six Jewish Jail Workers locating Jews in prisons, attending to their personal and spiritual needs during their incarceration and helping them re-enter society when released. The paradoxical people I was visiting quickly intrigued me. They knew right and compulsively did wrong, had noble intentions and reprehensible actions. They were smart, often generous of spirit, remorseful and ashamed of their behavior; yet, they continually “bit the hand of those that had fed them,” broke the hearts of those who loved them and raped the souls of those who trusted them. They were at war with themselves and destructive to everyone around them. Many struggled with multiple addictions most of their lives. How could such disparate pieces occupy one body? How could I help them to recover and co-exist, to integrate action and intention so they could free themselves from their prisons of relapse and recidivism?
rent Chairman of the Board), with each other (and with me) sustained the original vision and grew it beyond any of our imaginings. We grew organically in response to need and quickly outgrew our modest home. Warren and Annette (with a little help from their friends) formed an independent Board of Directors and raised $5,000,000 to purchase and renovate our current home.
Inspired by an article written by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twersky, psychiatrist and addiction specialist, entitled “Judaism and the 12 Steps”, a vision began to take shape of a home rooted in Judaism, AA and psychotherapy, where people could come to recover their integrity – the ability to integrate intention and action. I called it Beit T’Shuvah, The House of Return. T’shuvah, the promise of transformation and forgiveness is a major tenant of Judaism; a daily practice of self-examination and amends similar to the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Our budget has grown to $5 million per year, helping some 120 residents recover in a safe and nurturing community that encourages each and every member to recover and live their authentic life. With strong community support and funding, we have never had to turn anyone away because they couldn’t pay!
Miracles continue to happen at Beit T’Shuvah. Once again we have a growing number of day patients waiting for beds. There is insufficient office space for our clinical interns and professional clinical staff who often have to conduct therapy in makeshift spaces. “We need the building next door,” I said. Warren negotiated for it and Annette brought Joyce Brandman to Beit T’Shuvah. We told her about the building next door. “How much is it?” she asked. We told her. “I’d like to buy it for you,” she said… and did!
Over time we have come to recognize that we offer much more than recovery from addiction. We are providing people the opportunity to “recover their passion and discover their purpose.”
With FEMA and Jewish Community Foundation funding, Beit T’Shuvah opened its doors in October 1985. Sybil Brand, philanthropist and criminal justice advocate, cut the ribbon. The partnership of Warren Breslow (the first Chairman of the Beit T’Shuvah Board) and Annette Shapiro (the cur4
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Harriet Rossetto Founder and CEO
At Beit T’Shuvah we teach our residents through our own right actions that they matter. We help them discover their true purpose and encourage them to claim and embrace their authenticity with passion.
You Matter Living well is a struggle. For many of us, just defining living well is daunting. One definition is having what I want and enjoying life. Another is wanting what I have and enjoying life. Still another is having fame and fortune. Living well, according to Spiritual traditions is wanting what I have, living joyously through the agonies, ecstasies and in-betweens of life. To do this, I have to live authentically. This is one of the hardest principles for most of us to live! I am still searching for what is authentic in my life, who I really am and how to practice authenticity in a world filled with falseness. I know in my soul and in my being that I live better when I am being authentic and I know that my life is easier when I live according to what others want. Yet, every time I engage in deception and falseness, my life comes apart at the seams! I am totally confused some days as to which way of being is running the show.
not hopeless. These rebellions stand for principles. What principle does your rebellion stand for? At Beit T’Shuvah we teach our residents through our own right actions that they matter. We help them discover their true purpose and encourage them to claim and embrace their authenticity with passion. By doing that we get to live authentically and continue our own return and repentance.
Rabbi Mark Borovitz Spiritual Leader
I want to live well. I lived badly for many years and caused much trauma and pain to the people I love and to the world. Was that authentic? I see many people who are trying to live according to how the world says they should and/or how the world says they shouldn’t. I am always confronted with the statement, “This is the real me, take it or leave it.” Yet, is it the “real” person? Conformity, in our society, is doing what everyone else is doing just because they are doing it, like ‘keeping up with the Joneses. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, etc. were all originally rebellions. Alcoholics Anonymous is a rebellion. All of these and the rest of the Spiritual Disciplines say that living a life of service, compassion, healing, love and Truth is the real path to living a good life. This is against what society says. Society is saying that the right house, job, car, mate, bank account, etc. is the path to a good life’. A Spiritual Discipline says that life is Beit T’Shuvah
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More space is needed, more staff is needed, and as we enter 2011 we are planning to expand our treatment and residential facilities in order to meet the growing needs of our community.
The Secret to Our Success I am deeply grateful to each of you for making our mission possible through your continued financial support. We remain the only recovery house in the United States delivering a unique blend of Jewish spirituality, the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and traditional psychotherapy. My involvement began when Beit T’Shuvah was a small homeless shelter on Lake Street. These past 15 years, I have personally witnessed and experienced the growth and success of our institution. Although addiction was a topic that was extremely difficult to discuss, we were able to overcome our own individual discomfort and come together as the Beit T’Shuvah Board of Directors years before addiction became mainstream. Together we’ve worked very hard to erase the stigma and shadow of addiction and help thousands reclaim the sunlight of their spirit. The more we learn about addiction to substances and behaviors the more we realize during these difficult times obsessive and compulsive behaviors take many people on a path of destruction. Recognizing this growing need in our community, we have stepped up the level of programs and services, knowing that our actions will be met by your continued generosity. Supporting our growth requires expansion of our programs and services. Carrying the message of recovery to more people around the United States requires additional professional and lay help. More space is needed… more staff is needed and as we enter 2011 we are planning to expand our treatment and residential facilities in order to meet the growing needs of our community. As you know, the mission of Beit T’Shuvah is to serve anyone in need, regardless of their financial situation. With your
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financial support, we have been able to continue to accept the responsibility of treating these men and women and giving them a life to return to with passion and purpose. Our income sustainability and scalability depends on your generous contributions and those from our community and business outreach campaigns. Our primary purpose remains; Provide our residents with the skills they need to return to society with direction and purpose.
Annette Shapiro Chairman of the Board
I am deeply committed to ensure that Beit T’Shuvah has and will always have the resources required to provide services to all who seek it regardless of their ability to pay.
Sustainability and Scalability Beit T’Shuvah is the only place of its kind anywhere. Part rehab, part synagogue, part 12-Step meeting and part extended Jewish family, it is a Jewish faith community where broken souls find wholeness and misfits find acceptance. The healing traditions that guide our community are a tapestry of Jewish spiritual wisdom and the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. A major tenet of our treatment model is that no one size fits all and as such we continue to search for innovative principles and practices that support spiritual and emotional growth, ie. cognitive-behavioral and positive psychology, art, drama and music and surf therapy. I have been blessed to be part of this incredible organization both as a volunteer helping to guide and mentor our growing staff and as an active board member. This participation not only enriches my personal life by giving me a new purpose but it also opened my eyes and heart to the growing needs of our community and communities like ours all over the United States. With this awakening, I am deeply committed to ensure that Beit T’Shuvah has and will always have the resources required to provide services to all who seek it regardless of their ability to pay. I am also dedicated to the future growth of this organization and, together with my fellow Board members and the leadership of Beit T’Shuvah, working to ensure a bright, sustainable and scalable future. Through my actions I hope to inspire you to join us as a volunteer and contributor.
Bill Resnick, M.D. Vice President, Board of Directors
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The Place for Relevant Judaism From a tent on Lake Street, Beit T’Shuvah has grown to become a Jewish spiritual force in Los Angeles and beyond. Each Friday night over 300 people come together to celebrate Shabbat. Our Temple membership surpassed 250 families, we have 120 residents and for the High Holy Days more than 800 members of the greater community joined our services. WHY? We are attractive because we are practicing Relevant Judaism. Relevant Judaism is a term that we are using to denote how living Jewishly enhances our spirituality and our joie de vivre. It is being immersed in the text and in our rich tradition. We do this by looking at text and traditions with critical thinking, the context of the situation/story/mitzvah and the lessons for us to use in our lives today. Our brand of Judaism involves the whole person, the whole resident community and the larger Jewish Community. We have been spreading this message through Rabbi’s book, The Holy Thief, our musically centered services, our spiritual groups, our daily Torah study and our Prevention Program. The message is that Judaism is a path of life that embraces all of us. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says: “The Mitzvot disclose the Divine in us.” This message and way of being infuses everything that happens at Beit T’Shuvah. We teach, practice and live a life that honors the “sublime wonder of living,” as Rabbi Heschel teaches us. In fact, Relevant Judaism suggests that self-effacement is not the goal of life. Relevant Judaism teaches us to have as passionate an understanding of the rights and needs of others as we do of our own rights and needs. We use “sacrifice” to draw near to God and others and our own authenticity. Relevant Judaism is a practice of talent with dedication, aptitude in our vocation and Spiritual Dignity. Spiritual Dignity is the attachment of our souls to a goal greater than us. 8
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Beit T’Shuvah is a Spiritual Force in Los Angeles and the world because of your dedication and belief in us. It is a testament to the men and women who live here, work here, the men and women who are our alumni, to the Board of Directors, the families and community members of Beit T’Shuvah. Our place at the table is also a testament to the Rabbis and Clergy of Los Angeles and the country who embrace our message of inclusiveness, compassion, justice, love and Truth.
Our brand of Judaism involves the whole person, the whole resident community and the larger Jewish Community.
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Programs Surf Meditation
“One of the most amazing asp The relationship between surfing and a spiritual state of mind is complementary. They evolve in unison. is the view of life looking out Numerous times the “beginner” surfer can make the transition from rigidness and finite thinking to a These unique, intense, time sense of outer awareness. We at Beit T’ Shuvah believe the power of the waves and the board’s flow is a consciousness and are carrie manifestation of one’s commitment to living life with meaning and direction. Though the concept may be a bit deep for some to grasp by reading these words, spend a few hours with us and experience the gift for yourself.
Mind Body Living Human beings have always suffered from various kinds of diseases—physical, emotional and mental. DNA, environmental pollution, mental stress, traumas and the journey of life itself make people susceptible to disease, yet the emphasis on health, wellness and prevention has long taken a back step. This is especially true in the field of complicated chronic diseases, addictions and mental health where effective western drugs and treatment protocols have been found to have a low success rate in recovery. At the same time, evidenced-based research has led to the acceptance and validation of Eastern Medicine modalities as a highly effective aid to the journey of recovery. At Beit T’Shuvah, we have been working diligently through the years to develop a comprehensive pro10
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-Andrew Wasser, Family Program Director gram where we view each resident as a whole. We have designed treatments to integrate body, mind and spirit modalities to assist in our result-bearing recovery. In doing so, we provide the tools that include yoga, fitness meditation, nutrition and acupuncture for healthy living with the awareness that the years of addiction have left a mark on the physical health of the individual, as well as her or his emotional and mental states. We continue to integrate, nurture and foster the Mind Body Living component in order to help heal, educate and provide the tools, practice and support to help those on their journey to recovery—as well as to better the quality of their lives. “Where else could you possibly chant the Sh’ma during an acupuncture meditation group, needles poking out of your head and ears, and walk away feeling as if you could conquer the world!” -Nicole Wainstein, Resident
pects of the surfing experience from inside a breaking wave. eless movements help shape ed with you forever.”
Run To Save A Soul For the second year in a row, Beit T’Shuvah has teamed up with the LA Marathon to garner support for our recovery program. Beit T’Shuvah has already helped transform the lives of thousands of former addicts. The organization’s “Run to Save a Soul” campaign demonstrates the ability of those who have battled addiction not only to recover, but also to thrive. The Beit T’Shuvah Training Team currently has thirty people including residents, staff, alumni and supporters of Beit T’Shuvah. Members of last year’s team have now returned to run for Beit T’Shuvah once again. Not only are they running on the team, but they have also taken on the task of training newer runners who are attempting to run their first marathon. “Standing on the sidelines last year, cheering on the Beit T’Shuvah runners, I finally realized where I was at and how much my addiction had taken from me. Athletics had always been a foundation in my life and watching other people run past me was my absolute bottom. That was the worst I had ever felt in my life. Today I am running the 2011 LA Marathon!” -Craig Miller, BTS Resident
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The Sondra & Marvin Smalley Music Program Music has the ability to penetrate straight to the soul. In an instant it can transport emotions to joy, awe, hope, brilliance, sadness or even deep mourning. It has the power to uplift to a place that many can only relate as being closer to God. When one plays music or sings, it allows the listener to see a glimpse into that person’s soul, and to see a part of a person that no words or conversation can convey. Some residents have used drugs and alcohol for so long that they have separated themselves from their souls and who they are authentically. This all seems to diminish when they sing or play in the band or in the choir. The music is so real it is actually tangible. It seems to wake them up to themselves. This program helps our residents rediscover who they are, or who they used to be before their addiction took over. Learning to play and create music alone or with others has been a large part of their recovery. “I will always be indebted to the Smalley family for endowing this important recovery program… their contribution made it possible for thousands to recover their essence and celebrate true Jewish revival through music” -Laura Bagish, Choir Director
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Partners In Prevention If Relevant Judaism can help individuals recover from addictive and self-destructive behaviors, why can’t it be just as useful in preventing them? In a culture where teens must cope with peer, media, and family pressures to “look good” and achieve material success, the soul is often neglected. We believe the antidote to this “hole-in-the soul” is Judaism. Partners In Prevention (PIP) is a program which utilizes the path of Judaism to promote self-acceptance, self-worth, spiritual values and family harmony. PIP differs from other programs in that it does not focus on drug-education but rather the underlying “spiritual maladies” that lead today’s youth toward risky behaviors. It focuses on teaching spiritual tools to cope with daily stress and anxiety. The continuous positive feedback this program receives from teens that have experienced the impact from our innovative program underscores its importance. In high school sessions all over the United States students approach our residents after each program and openly share their battle with drugs and alcohol. We often hear that this type of intervention motivated young men and women to seek help and change their unhealthy lifestyle and behaviors. School teachers and principals are taken aback by the amount of positive feedback from both students and parents that are touched by the stories and teachings they have heard. 14
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“We are grateful to be part of such an amazing organization that allows us to carry the message of recovery and Relevant Judaism to younger generations in small and large cities alike.” -Doug Rosen, Prevention Director
Freedom Song At Beit T’Shuvah, we encourage each and every resident and community member to recover their passion and discover their purpose. Freedom Song helps residents get in touch with their authentic selves and take the necessary action to practice passion with purpose. Freedom Song is an original musical that highlights the historical universality of the struggle to free oneself from external oppression and internal bondage that addiction often brings. The play shows the parallels between a modern family Seder and a 12-step meeting, and it forces the audience to take a look within themselves instead of pointing the finger at everyone else. It tells the “out of Egypt” story in a compelling and authentic voice that empowers the audience to reach deeper within themselves and identify.
who saw a performance in Minneapolis. The message said, “I don’t know if you remember me but I thought you might like to know a few things…your show inspired me greatly, I went to treatment about a month after I hung out with you guys and now I have 60 days of sobriety.” The message sums up the impact that Freedom Song has on every audience it touches and the difference it can make in a person’s life. A poignant message of Freedom Song is that addiction can happen in every family, no matter what religion they practice and despite any façade of “normalcy”. “If Freedom Song inspires one person to change his/ her life, the cast has accomplished its mission”. -Jessica Fishel, Freedom Song Coordinator
One of our residents, a Freedom Song cast member, recently received a message from an attendee
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Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center Having a place to go every day, having a purpose can be critical in staying sober. At the Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center at Beit T’Shuvah residents have the opportunity to take a career assessment that enables them to learn about their career interests and how their personality can best fit with the right occupation. The Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center staff assists with resume building and coaching techniques, a “how to” in answering some of the more difficult questions asked during the interview process. The career center has been fortunate to be assisted by the Department of Rehabilitation, giving residents the opportunity to take advantage of having their school and books paid for. This allows them to continue their education so that they can excel and grow in their field of choice. “The Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center at Beit T’Shuvah has been essential to my recovery and I am so grateful for all the services they provide. They ultimately got me a job in a field that I am very passionate about.” Alison Goldberg, Career Counselor
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BTS Communications
What had started as a one man in-house graphics service has now expanded to provide design, advertising and social media expertise to other non-profits and for-profit businesses. BTS Communications has a unique approach in its use of an advertising agency business model as a vocational training program for its interns. Beit T’Shuvah residents who have a passion and talent in the fields of copywriting, graphic design, web development and business operations run BTS Communications. One key mission of BTS Communications is to help prepare interns, within 12 months, to be ready to apply for work in the upwardly mobile and growing fields that comprise the communications industry, be it advertising, design or social media. We consider BTS Communications not only an ad agency but also a teaching organization, educating interns in how to help businesses communicate, advertise and market. Similar to how a medical teaching hospital operates with fellows, residents and interns, BTS Communications is putting in place a professional staff to provide hands-on education for its advertising interns until they gain the skills to lead the agency on their own. Currently BTS Communications has seven interns and is guided by the help of external advertising agency and marketing experts including Russell Kern and Mike Greenfeld. Clients choosing to work with BTS Communica-
tions get top quality creative work while participating in the development of highly talented creative people who are unleashing their passion for advertising, graphic design, copywriting and marketing. We hand pick our team who work under the close supervision of John Sullivan, Creative Director and Meryl Zinn, Marketing Director. We collaborate to craft innovative, creative and cost effective products for our growing customer base. This enables us to provide large agency marketing and creative services, without the large agency price tag and that helps small and medium non- and for-profit organizations achieve their marketing objectives. But BTS Communications is something much more than a great business idea. It is an extension of the Beit T’Shuvah spirit, helping those who are lost recover their passion and discover their purpose.
“I never thought it was possible to enjoy work and focus on my future rather than drugs” -Ben Spielberg, BTS Intern Beit T’Shuvah
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Alternative Sentencing
Right Action True to the mission of our CEO and founder Har- Gambling Program riet Rossetto, Beit T’Shuvah sets aside as many as 25% of our beds for people with serious addictive problems, who have been or are likely to be convicted and face prison or jail time. Carrie Newman, our full-time Alternative Sentencing Coordinator and her staff conduct in custody interviews and assessments with each potential resident to determine their program eligibility. For those who qualify, they go to court to advocate on their behalf so that they can serve some or all of their time at Beit T’shuvah to break their cycle of addiction as an alternative to sitting in a cell for their drug and alcohol-related crimes. They also provide visitation for Jewish inmates within the Los Angeles County Jail system, offering spiritual guidance, addiction counseling and a connection or re-connection to Judaism’s ancient traditions. For those serving lengthier sentences, the staff acts as a bridge connecting these Jewish inmates to the Jewish traditions and the Jewish recovering community through personal visits and correspondence. “Beit T’Shuvah didn’t save my life, they gave me a life worth saving.” Phil Hamburger - Assistant Alternative Sentencing Coordinator
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Addiction affects lives in so many ways. Compulsive gambling affects humans to the same extent as any other addiction and should be treated as such. Our mission here at Beit T’Shuvah is to bring as many souls as possible back to discover their passion and purpose through an integration of body, mind, and spirit. At Beit T’Shuvah we are fully aware of the horrors of the gambling compulsion. Beit T’Shuvah is the only residential/intensive outpatient program in the state of California that offers a comprehensive program for problem gamblers. Chosen by the California Office for Problem Gambling, and in partnership with the UCLA Gambling Studies program, we offer a wide array of options such as Certified Gambling Therapists, daily groups and most important of all: spiritual healing. A major part of the program here at Beit T’Shuvah is community-comfort and support through bonds with the community and peers. The problem gambler no longer has to feel the isolation and incomprehensible demoralization of their addiction. Our in house Gamblers Anonymous and Criminal Gang Members Anonymous meetings offer hope for the problem gambler to recover.
Raising New Generations of Therapists Following a mode of thinking that is deeply rooted in spiritual traditions and recovery programs, there is no “one size fits all” philosophy at Beit T’Shuvah. Our clinical staff is encouraged to embrace their individuality; they are all truly one of a kind. They bring all of themselves to their work and they embrace all manner of psychotherapeutic orientations, from intensely cognitive to deeply psychodynamic. This has allowed them to serve each client’s individual needs. We are all different and yet we are who we are. That is Beit T’Shuvah and that is what our clinical training program represents. There is an unceasing emphasis at Beit T’Shuvah to acknowledge and even relish one’s own “stuff,” and it works for both the client and the therapist. It brings awareness to our staff that translates to their work with our clients. They are treated with professional respect and are given the personal freedom to create an experience that best suits their needs. They are trusted to create their own schedules, to foster their professional and private lives as they see fit.
“The part of my soul that still needs cultivating, the wounds that still need processing. This program makes me a much better therapist, husband and father.” -Dr. Evan Shapiro, Beit T’Shuvah Clinical Therapist
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Family Wellness Our Family Program here at Beit T’Shuvah, under trained clinical facilitators, is an essential part of our treatment and recovery process plan. All families are strongly encouraged to participate in all three of our family programs that consist of education, communication and connection. Our New Family Education Program is a four-week education course aimed at teaching families to identify and alter unhealthy and dysfunctional patterns within the family dynamic. Families learn the basic psychodynamic language and terminology that is useful for healthier communication. The fourth and final week of the course consists of family members teaching the residents what they have learned and what patterns they have recognized in their familial interactions. After families have completed the 4-week education course, they then graduate to our Family Process Group. Each week, residents and family members are encouraged to participate as a group in a therapeutic discussion where they have the opportunity to express, vent, and communicate their thoughts and feelings in a safe and comfortable environment. And our weekly Family Support Group allows families to stay connected and involved while reinforcing the positive messages being shared. Parents, grandparents and siblings come together to discuss how addiction can affect an entire family. 20
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“Being a part of the family support group allowed me to understand my feelings of guilt and shame and that, as a parent of an addict, it wasn’t my fault.” - Meryl Zinn, Parent
The Hal Wiseman House of Return - Thrift Boutique 2010 has been a truly momentous year for The Hal Wiseman House of Return ~ Thrift Boutiques. On February 28th, bulging at the seams, we closed down our 15 public storage rental units which housed massive donations. The individual units were emptied and with Ed Praver’s quick assistance, we now lease a 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse to act as a feeder for both stores. When one walks into the warehouse, the generosity of the Los Angeles Jewish community is front and center. On March 24th, our beloved Chairman, Hal Wiseman, passed away. It was a very difficult day for all of us. On May 26th, marked by a well-attended ceremony in Hal’s honor, we poignantly renamed the Washington Blvd. store The Hal Wiseman House of Return ~ Thrift Boutique. For years, Hal had provided his “Just Do It” leadership and approached his role with passion and an incredible hands-on investment of time. With his passing, there was no more fitting way to honor him than by the renaming. On November 20th, we marked a different type of event... the opening of our dream… a second store! This had been Hal’s vision and Brad, his son and new Chairman, graciously made it a reality with this completely renovated, 6,200 sq. ft. Santa Monica beauty. To spur Santa Monica customer interest, we have expanded our advertising campaign, which is devoted to both retail ads and accompanying pieces that enlighten readers about Beit T’Shuvah’s pro-
grams, addiction and recovery. Our goal is to invite readers to celebrate Shabbos with the Beit T’Shuvah community and to support our stores, in the belief that everyone is recovering from something. Our resident/internship program remains strong at both stores. The California Department of Rehabilitation has long partnered with the Thrift Store by funding internships that enable us to keep store employees to a minimum. Residents are then mentored in either retail or office functions with particular emphasis placed on retooling their work ethic. Help us continue the growth as shoppers accustom themselves to great merchandise and customer service.
“For years, Hal had provided his “Just Do It” leadership and approached his role with passion and an incredible hands-on investment of time.” Beit T’Shuvah
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Beit T’Shuvah Facts Facilities
Day Patient
Primary Care
Alumni Aftercare
Our campus is located in West Los Angeles. The facility is a warm setting where 120 residents interact with clinical staff in a healing atmosphere. Our campus also includes a sanctuary for religious services, separate lounges for men and women, a kitchen and dining room, a full recording studio, a gym and a career center.
The most important component of our recovery model is our spiritual community. It is through this community of study, meditation, prayer and discussion that our residents transition from behavior patterns of perfectionism, failure, isolation and entitlement to life goals of progress, accountability, and gratitude. Residential treatment varies in length according to individual client needs, but typically involves six months of residence.
Sober Living
The Sober Living program is open to individuals with over four months of recovery. Residents resume work and pay rent while still participating in therapy, Torah Study, and 12step meetings.
Independent Living
Apartment-style living, located on a separate floor of the Beit T’Shuvah campus, is available to graduates of the Beit T’Shuvah program. Residents of this community-within-acommunity enjoy private rooms and autonomy while still having the healing presence of the greater Beit T’Shuvah community and the option of participating in community activities.
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Day patient treatment is tailored to fit to each individual’s needs. Care ranges from individual weekly sessions to full participation in daily groups, individual therapy, Shabbat services and Torah study. Individuals are admitted to daypatient treatment at staff’s discretion.
Recovery from addiction is a life-long process that requires constant vigilance. Ironically, the risk of relapse for the addict is greatest when he achieves his goals and appears to be thriving. The external trappings of success feed into the addicts’ denial system, allowing him to believe that he is “normal” and therefore exempt from the required daily actions to maintain sobriety. It is necessary to keep alumni connected with one another and Beit T’Shuvah to remind them of the dangers of relapse.
Family Care
Addiction not only affects the drug or alcohol user - it impacts the entire family. To address this need, Beit T’Shuvah makes available crucial support to the hundreds of family members of current and past residents who need our help. Services include family counseling that is augmented with weekly support groups for family members. Separately we offer group counseling for residents and their families and take an active role in providing relationship and marriage counseling as well as crisis counseling.
Achievements and Accomplishments
60,000 People have experienced 2,700 Addicted adults received
spiritual uplifting from our original musi- room, board and integrated faith-based cal, Freedom Song. Jewish recovery services including individual, group and spiritual counseling.
45,000 People have been in-
1,050
fused with the spirit and love of JudaOutpatient clients have ism through our weekly and holiday ser- been helped with their recovery from vices. various addictions.
8,500 Inmates in jail received 1,000 Non-addicted people who emotional, spiritual and advocacy serstruggle with life have been helped vices. through our counseling services.
8,000
Family members have learned new ways of dealing with their “addict” and themselves in order to live in healthy relationships.
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Statement of Activities For the year ended June 30, 2010 with comparative totals for the year ended June 30, 2009 2010
2009
Total Funds
Total Funds
Programs Revenue
2,519,452
2,884,384
Contributions Revenue
4,515,126
2,619,145
Investment, Gains & Losses
315,920
(463,392)
Restricted Funds
932,900
Revenue and Support
8,283,398
5,040,137
5,595,042
4,588,798
Management Expenses
324,396
402,298
Fund Raising Expenses
556,002
450,000
Total Expenses
6,475,440
5,441,096
Change in Net Assets
1,807,958
*(478,705)
Total Revenue and Support
Expenses Program Funding
*2009 change in net assets reflects investment imparment of $108,000
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2010 Annual Report
Performance and Results Revenue We are grateful to have become stronger during the 2009-2010 fiscal year notwithstanding the continued economic uncertainties enabling Beit T’Shuvah to share the gifts of recovery with a growing number of constituents across the United States. We are grateful to report that based on the generosity of our donors we were able to enhance our financial strenth and flexibility and increase our unrestricted revenue by $2.3 million above 2008-2009 levels. Total contributions increased some $1.9 million. This, combined with a remarkably strong bottom line, made it possible for us to provide 150 people with free care at a total cost of $2,940,000. Our strong performance would not have been possible without the support of our donors, friends, alumni and staff.
11% 5%
30%
Contributions & Donations $4.5 mm Programs Revenue $2.5 mm
54%
Restricted Funds $0.9 mm Investment Gains & Losses $0.3 mm
Expense 5% 9%
Programs Funding $5.6 mm Fundraising Expenses $0.6 mm
86%
Management Expenses $0.3 mm
Beit T’Shuvah
25
Board of Directors / Professional Staff Board Members
Honorary Board Members
Right Action Gambling
Annette Shapiro, Chair Donald J. Berghoff Lynn Bider Warren Breslow, Chairperson Emeritus Emily Corleto Samuel Delug Jon Esformes John Fishel Mel Gagerman Jeffrey Glassman Robert Gluckstein Carolyn Gold Beverly Gruber Salli Harris Dr. Susan Krevoy Diane Licht Virginia Maas Bradley H. Mindlin Nancy Mishkin, Chairperson Emeritus Donald S. Passman Joan Praver Ed Praver Heidi Praw Avi Reichental Dr. Bill Resnick David Ruderman Richard Schulman Ronnie Stabler Lisi Teller Dr. Howard Wallach Brad Wiseman Hal Wiseman* Robert Wiviott Jill Black Zalben * Deceased
Sheldon Appel Blair Belcher Kohan Robert Felixson* Herb Gelfand Brindell Gottlieb Shelley Kozek Chuck Maltz Cheri Morgan Mike Nissenson Jan Rosen Craig Taubman Greg Vilkin
Michael Konheim / Counselor Luke Chittick / Counselor
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2010 Annual Report
Professional Staff Harriet Rossetto, LCSW / Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Mark Borovitz Faina Geller / CFO Kathy Marks, MA, LMFT / COO / Clinical Director
Partners in Prevention Doug Rosen, MFT / Director Jessica Fishel / Associate Matt Schwartz / Associate
Alternative Sentencing Carrie Newman / Coordinator Philip Hamburger / Assistant Coordinator Hillary Attenborough / Associate
BTS Communications John Sullivan / Director Kendl Ferencz / Graphic Design Intern
Nimoy Career Center Alison Goldberg / Counselor
Hal Wiseman Thrift Store
Development
Valentina Montagu / Store Manager
Nina Haller, Esq. / Director Barbara Friedman, MA, MBA / Director of Events Ali Ditlove / Assistant to Director Randi Keiper / Assistant to Director of Events
Financial
Temple Yeshiai Blakeney / Spiritual Counselor Cantor Rebekah Mirsky Cantor Rachel Goldman Neubauer Laura Bagish / Choir Director
Doina Stanescu / Assistant to CFO Eliot Waldhorn / Assistant to CFO
Information Technology Rachel Lurie / Director/ Temple Administrator
Administration Susan Reneau / Administrative Assistant Ryan Kopald / Reception
Clinical
Facilities
Adam Mindel / Program Coordinator Brandon Berry / Intake Coordinator
Craig Miller / Manager
Family Wellness
Rod Moses / Chef
Andrew Wasser, MA, LMFT / Director
Kitchen
Foundations and Corporate Sponsors *Foundation Donations The Angell Foundation The Annenberg Foundation Atlas Family Foundation Lynn & Les Bider Foundation Otis Booth Foundation Saul Brandman Foundation Chevra Chai Foundation Covenant Foundation Evan Frankel Foundation Alon and Shari Friendship Foundation George and Rosella Familian Foundation George Adler-Jack Frydrych Charitable Foundation Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation Goldsmith Family Foundation Guess Foundation Audrey and Sidney Irmas Foundation The Jewish Community Foundation Joseph Drown Foundation The Karma Foundation Kobor Family Foundation The Kotick Family Foundation LA Lakers Youth Foundation Lincy Foundation Leo and Gertrude Marantz Foundation Maurice Marciano Family Foundation Meyer Fund Milken Family Foundation The Nimoy Foundation Carol and Nancy O’Connor Foundation Ornest Family Foundation Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Jay & Rose Phillips Foundation Powell Family Foundation Jerome & Toby Rapport Foundation Ray of Light Foundation
Resnick Family Foundation, Inc. Righteous Persons Foundation The Saban Family Foundation Mark Schulman & Esther Schulman Foundation The Skirball Foundation Alan B. Slifka Foundation Snyder Family Foundation Samuel & Helene Soref Foundation The Society of Young Philanthropists Spiegel Family Foundation Donald T. Sterling Foundation Stern Family Foundation S. Mark Taper Foundation Wallis Foundation Weingart Foundation Whizin Foundation The Winnick Family Foundation Witherbee Foundation Ziegler Family Trust
*Corporate Donations ABC Dye House American Textile Maintenance Arthur J. Gallagher Bank of America Capital Group Companies Charles David of California City National Bank Consolidated Smart Systems Conroy Commercial Disney Worldwide Services Dreamworks Endeavor Goldrich & Kest Hillside Memorial Park
JCH Consulting Group JSH Management Services KB Home Latham & Watkins Levin & Stein Lucky Brand Jeans MGM and UA Services Company New Line Northern Trust Bank Nanas, Stern, Biers & Neinstein Paige Premium Denim Paramount Pictures Redwood Investment Management Roll N’ Rye The Sage Group Sauer & Wagner 7 For All Mankind Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. Superior Associates The Eagles Touring Company Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Union Bank United Talent Agency Universal Studios Valley Beth Shalom Warner Brothers Entertainment Warner Brothers Pictures Washington Mutual Wells Fargo Foundation WME Entertainment Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen Z Valet & Shuttle Service
* Partial List
Beit T’Shuvah
27
Beit T’Shuvah 8831 Venice Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90034 www.beittshuvah.org
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2010 Annual Report