Gives talks, workshops and webinars to individuals, groups and organizations on topics related to resilience: Protective factors that reduce stress to make us more resilient; Tips to develop a resilient mindset.
Motivational speaker
Conducts trauma-informed educational workshops for social service and healthcare providers in community and institutional settings to sensitize them to survivors’ unique needs and teach practical interventions.
Conducts staff training on practice issues pertaining to survivor populations.
Provides clinical supervision for social service and healthcare professionals.
Is a member of the Claims Conference and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Committee that plans educational programs for service providers who work with Holocaust Survivors.
Conducts workshops on self-care practices to guard against vicarious trauma.
Conducts workshops on wellness strategies including stress management and relaxation techniques.
Advises developers of services for survivors of genocide and war-related trauma.
Provides mentoring for social service and healthcare providers and university students.
Writes articles for NaturallySavvy on a variety of topics including, life lessons, resilience, and self-love.
Wrote articles for YouAreUNLTD on a variety of topics including aging, life lessons, gratitude, and spirituality.
McGill University, School of Social Work (1991 – Present)
Adjunct Professor, Guest Lecturer
Created and taught practice-oriented sessional course: “Social Work Practice with Older Adults.”
Guest lecturer on topics that include: trauma, aging, and resilience; a community-based group trauma recovery model: The Drop-in Centre for Holocaust Survivors; self-care practices that guard against burnout and vicarious trauma; vicarious resilience; and bereavement and loss.
Former onsite and external field supervisor and field liaison for social work program interns.
Cummings Centre(2000 – 2015)
Program Manager, Services for Holocaust Survivors and their Families
Managed Services for Holocaust Survivors which include: a Drop-in Centre; Survivor Assistance Office; inter-generational projects and programs; publication and distribution of memoirs; survivor compensation funds from various governments; and Holocaust advisory committees.
Provided direct service to survivors through consultation, supportive counseling, referrals and program facilitation.
Conducted needs assessment research to identify emerging trends and gaps in service in order to recommend new or expanded programs and services.
Researched, developed and implemented new programs and services. Examples include a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, Quebec Region to establish a Holocaust Survivors’ Tracing Centre, the first of its kind in Canada, and the Claims Conference Hardship Fund program targeted for the Moroccan community.
Organized the annual Holocaust Commemoration Service for agency and Federation Combined Jewish Appeal staff.
Trained staff and volunteers on issues that pertain to Holocaust survivors.
Advocated with the German Embassy. Established the first health resort cure facility in Quebec and pioneered community authorization to stamp life certificates.
Secured grants to establish the first Survivor Assistance Office in Canada and to publish a survivors’ memoir book.
Private Practice(1995 – 2000)
Therapist/Social Worker
Provided individual, couple and family counseling.
Counseled individuals, families and groups in the areas of post-traumatic stress.
Incorporated mind-body-soul approach into clinical practice that empowered individuals to cope with challenges, changes, and traumatic events.
Identified the need for a Holocaust Survivor Drop-in Centre and secured funding from the Montreal Jewish Community Foundation to develop the service. Designed, implemented and facilitated this one-year pilot project that evolved into the present Services for Holocaust Survivors at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors.
Provided case management for survivors whose adult children lived out of town.
Facilitated educational, support and discussion groups for Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
Conducted educational workshops for healthcare providers in community and institutional settings to sensitize them to survivors’ unique needs and teach practical interventions.
Trained interviewers about the emotional impact of trauma for Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, a project initiated by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Counseled Holocaust survivors who required support after the interviews.
Jewish Support Services for the Elderly(1989 – 1995)
Coordinator of Outreach
Secured a grant from the Claims Conference in 1989 to develop an outreach program for Holocaust Survivors. This community-based service model was the first of its kind in Canada.
Planned, developed, and facilitated support groups for Holocaust survivors.
Conducted staff training workshops on understanding Holocaust survivors.
Developed and conducted the outreach program for older adults.
Coordinated and facilitated a psychosocial day program for Jewish seniors.
Conducted one-on-one counseling, case management, and psychosocial assessments.
