Hashkafa/Jewish Philosophy | Therapy | Learning

The Kesher Program is an innovative spiritual/psycho/social model designed to deal with the unique issues of young people who have lost direction in life and are looking for a meaningful way back. We have a very holistic approach, which consists of three major components; Learning/Therapy/and Hashkafa.

We begin by compiling a personal, family, academic and psychological history, as well as their present level of textual learning skills, religious observance and motivation. Without a clear grasp of where a student is coming from, how can we effectively move forward? Based on this comprehensive evaluation we sit with the student and design an effective personalized schedule, which includes classes, a therapist/counselor, and therapeutic groups most appropriate for his personal growth.

A foundation of our entire process is helping our students get in touch with what we refer to as their "Core Belief System".

Do you believe in ...

• G-d (His creation of the world and His continued sustenance of His creation)?
• Did G-d reveal Himself to the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai?
• Our oral tradition (Torah sh'baal peh, which gives understanding, form and meaning to the revelation of the written Torah)?

Presently many educational institutions are not equipped to field some of the more colorful and controversial questions which our students need addressed. We encourage any and all such questions, whether of a personal, philosophic or hashkafic nature. We want our students to think, question, evaluate and integrate their beliefs.

Another fundamental tenet that permeates all facets of the Kesher Program is goal setting (for staff as well as students).

Our students share the same long term goals as most people, although they may not have been aware of it ...

• To be happy
• To have a meaningful relationship with their Creator
• To be married and have a family
• Financial security.

These goals are harmonious with and emanate from their "Core Belief System". Unfortunately, their behavior is frequently in direct opposition with their beliefs.

Having one's behavior in direct conflict with one's beliefs is not a recipe for a happy, fulfilling and rewarding life. We lovingly confront our student's hypocrisy. How can you be happy if your behavior directly opposes your beliefs? Is your behavior helping you achieve the things you most want in life, or sabotaging YOUR goals? Do you want to change? When? The window is open, let's DO IT!

The therapeutic component of our program utilizes a variety of tools:

1. One on one counseling/therapy with our staff of professionals
2. Mentoring
3. Goal setting
1. We establish long term goals to establish direction
2. Establish medium term goals-developing effective life tools for success
3. Clarify immediate short term goals and facilitate self-monitoring, utilizing cognitive charting
4. Group therapy
1. Psycho-educational: Presenting & utilizing various behavior/cognitive models
2. Substance-alcohol abuse: 12-step workshops & relapse prevention
3. Spiritual-psychological: Clarifying beliefs and resolving resentments towards G-d, rabbis, Schools, family, friends and ourselves.
4. Psycho-therapeutic: Dealing with deeper personal and childhood issues
5. Network of talented professionals
6. Positive reinforcement, with clear boundaries and accountability

The power of Torah learning is unparalleled in it's ability to sharpen one's values and challange the mind. We sit with our students and design a personalized schedule, requiring a minimum of 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. We offer a broad range of subjects including, Gemorah, Mishna, Tenach, Halacha and Mussar. This material is presented both in small classes and one-on-one study with members of our kollel, in a highly interactive stimulating format.

The Kesher Program straddles the fence between "loving tough" and "tough love" - an environment with clear boundaries, commitments and accountability (we perform random drug tests to ensure a drug free environment, have a monitored attendance requirement and no alcohol in our dorms or served at program functions) within a warm, caring supportive atmosphere - nobody said it was going to be easy!

The goal is to:

1. Assist our students resolve their self-defeating attitudes & behaviors
2. To grow in their learning and spirituality
3. To develop healthy life skills
1. Time management
2. Goal setting
3. Self Motivation
4. Money management
5. Stress management

Ultimately we facilitate our students' emergence as happy, integrated, productive members of society. These young men are our future. Kesher is creating that future.