- NEWS & COMMENTARY
Kerry says Israelis, Palestinians must make tough decisions
Israeli and Palestinian leaders must decide soon on whether to revive long-dormant peace negotiations to end their decades-old conflict, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday.
Industry is best bet for peace, Israeli billionaire says
On a new industrial park in Israel's largest Arab town, a software plant belonging to a multibillion-dollar U.S.-listed firm sits cheek-by-jowl with two small Arab-owned businesses: a metal factory and one producing tools for brain surgery.
Adelsons donate $40 million to Birthright
Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, donated $40 million to the Birthright Israel Foundation.
- HOLLYWOOD
Billy Crystal to star in Larry Charles’ FX series
Looks like FX is going to be injecting some humor into their lineup. Not a bad idea, we think, after many seasons of the awesome yet dark series “Justified” or…
Civility replaces violence in ‘Last White Night’
In June 1965, during the most violent days of the civil rights movement, 21-year-old Paul Saltzman drove from Toronto to Mississippi to become a freedom fighter with the Student Nonviolent…
Spielberg to produce ‘Halo’ television series, plus other news from the Xbox One announcement
Microsoft Corp gave the world a first look at its new Xbox One on Tuesday, announcing that its first gaming console in eight years will come with exclusive video and…
- LIFE & CULTURE
A talent agent turns yogurt maven
Amy Salko Robertson — producer of such films as “The Oh in Ohio,” “Lab Rats” and “When Do We Eat?” a comedy set at a Passover seder —realized that she…
Maccabi Tel Aviv back on top but coach future uncertain
Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv have reasserted their dominance of Israeli soccer but media reports on Tuesday suggested they might have to continue their revival without coach Oscar Garcia.
Angelina’s breast cancer victory isn’t for celebrities only
Actress Angelina Jolie just announced that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she was genetically predisposed to cancer. Her disclosure was a powerful show of solidarity with…
- BLOGS
Propaganda lies in a disguise
Muhammad al-Durrah, the little boy who became the symbol of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, is returning to the headlines after a decade. A photo of him, crying, leaning against a wall…
Male Eating Disorders: A Real Thing
Recently, People Magazine came out with an article about Ashley Hamilton talking openly about his struggles with an eating disorder. I applaud Ashley for coming out about having an eating…
Religion at the End of The Big C
Last night, Showtime’s The Big C aired its final episode. After three seasons of half-hour installments, this comedy returned for a shortened final season consisting of four hour-long episodes. Subtitled…
- JUDAICA STORE
- INFO
Mobile
Read the JJ
Community/Events
Advertisement
December 2, 2012 | 4:22 pm
The Myth of Jewish Addiction
Posted by Beit T'shuvah
Follow JewishJournal.com on 
By Harriet Rossetto
When you think of a drug addict you probably picture that dirty, bearded man who harasses you for change outside of 7-Eleven. Addicts are usually portrayed as the bottom level of society, people who steal, lie, and who should never be trusted. Although many people often try to help addicts there is still an overwhelming belief in the Jewish community that, “It won’t happen to my kid.” Jewish children are raised in an atmosphere where success is revered and most Jews continue to think that addiction is something that happens to other people.
The fact is that addiction is a problem that is affecting more and more Jews every day. When Harriet Rossetto started Beit T’Shuvah she conceptualized it as a place for Jewish convicts to live as they transitioned back into society. Now 25 years later, the facility has grown into a full scale addiction treatment center that houses over 150 residents. Beit T’Shuvah is the only treatment center that combines psychotherapy, 12-step recovery, and Jewish spirituality to try and help Jewish addicts live a better life.
Harriet’s new memoir, Sacred Housekeeping, will be published next month. In it, she chronicles not just her own struggles in life but also what led her into this line of work. The book will also describe Harriet’s thoughts on how to address addiction in the Jewish community.
The Jewish Journal believes that great community depends on great conversation. So, jewishjournal.com provides a forum for insightful voices across the political and religious spectrum. Bloggers are not employees of The Jewish Journal, and their opinions are their own. Our entire blog policy is here. Please alert us to any violations of our policy by clicking here. (editor@jewishjournal.com). If you'd like to join our blogging community, email us. (webmaster@jewishjournal.com).
We are Commanded to Care
5.24.13 at 11:11 am | What is going on? I am asking this question to. . .
Finding G-d in the Little Places
5.20.13 at 10:49 am | One of the many, many names for God in the Jewish. . .
The Purpose of Religion
5.17.13 at 1:29 pm | My daughter, Heather, recommended a book to me. . .
What I Learned From Shavuot All-Night Study
5.16.13 at 10:56 am | I loved it. Two nights ago I was honored to see. . .
The Best Way to Enact Change
5.13.13 at 5:45 pm | I often want to reorganize. Instead of being. . .
Have the Courage to Stand Up For Others
5.10.13 at 11:11 am | COURAGE- this is the theme and the connection.. . .
The Purpose of Religion
5.17.13 at 1:29 pm | My daughter, Heather, recommended a book to me. . . (62)
Is Buddhism a Religion?
2.25.13 at 3:00 pm | Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions. . . (40)
What I Learned From Shavuot All-Night Study
5.16.13 at 10:56 am | I loved it. Two nights ago I was honored to see. . . (35)
Is Buddhism a Religion?
Even in the earliest writings nirvana is...
Help Wanted
very nice
Unmasking: The Purim Blog
It’s amazing to see such happiness from you...
Broken Blog about Brokenness
Michael - What wonderful writing from within...
Bureaucracies are the Antithesis to Redemption!
Mahoney, Paterno, Sandusky, Edwards, Clinton,...
Homophobic Redemption in Pro Sports
Very interesting. I’ve been to Gay Men’s...
More from JewishJournal.com
COMMENTS
We welcome your feedback.
Privacy Policy
Your information will not be shared or sold without your consent. Get all the details.
Terms of Service
JewishJournal.com has rules for its commenting community.Get all the details.
Publication
JewishJournal.com reserves the right to use your comment in our weekly print publication.
Blog Extras
beit t'shuvah beit t’shuvah judaism redemption addiction jewish religion passover pesach alcoholics anonymous sobriety spirituality beit teshuvah drugs exodus god parenting responsibility writing torah recovery community los angeles beit tshuvah seder rabbi heschel egypt israel creation students hava nagila the movie ira skolky t'shuvah self-worth christians stand up for others bts new york city efficacy jerry buss
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| ||
Site SectionsNewspaper
Serving a community of 600,000, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles is the largest Jewish weekly outside New York City. Our award-winning paper reaches over 150,000 educated, involved and affluent readers each week. Subscribe here. © Copyright 2013 Tribe Media Corp. | ||
|