Kesher: A Connection to Social Services
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Named for the Hebrew word “connection,” Jewish Collaborative Services' Kesher program serves as a bridge between Jewish communities in Rhode Island and JCS resources. Through the Kesher program, JCS maintains close partnerships with local Jewish leaders, allowing response in real time to local needs within the Rhode Island Jewish community. The Kesher team meets regularly with Jewish communities across the denominational spectrum, providing culturally competent and responsive consultation for local leaders in addition to educational workshops, financial support, kosher food resources, and eldercare accompaniment when needed.
JCS is so proud to be part of the rich ecosystem of Jewish life in Rhode Island, and strives to be a source of care, support, and practical assistance in any way possible. Here are just a few examples of Kesher services: • Help for congregants facing mental health or challenging family issues, including referrals to JCS clinical counseling or other community resources • Consultation and collaboration with staff, including rabbis, school directors, teachers, and youth advisors to provide a holistic response to congregants’ needs • Consultation for synagogue committees such as Bikur Cholim (“visiting the sick”) and Caring Committees • Pastoral support or friendly visits through the JERI program • Workshops and group discussions on topics of interest to the congregation, such as parenting, caring for aging parents, and grief and loss • Connections to case management services and wrap around support and more! 
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Meet the Kesher Team
Samantha Clark, B.A (she/her)
Case Manager/Kesher Outreach Specialist Samantha joined Jewish Collaborative Services in November 2022 as the Kesher Worker and Case Manager/Outreach Specialist. She received a B.A. in Psychology with a focus in Gerontology from the University of Rhode Island and specializes in older adult populations. Sam has experience working in senior services (LTC, ALF/SNF, Adult Day, Senior Centers), case management community action programs, and other non-profit organizations. At JCS, Sam helps connect clients with a variety of services. These include assessment of congregant needs, especially for older adults and those with financial, housing or food insecurity; information and referral for identified resources, financial assistance for basic needs, support groups, access to health care, and more. Working closely with the clinical team, Sam also co-facilitates both JCS virtual support groups. The Chronic Illness Support Group and Grief Support are free and open to all, running on the first and third Wednesday of every month, respectively. More information about these groups and our other offerings can be found in the Kesher Link email. 
Rabbi Heather Shore, LMHC-A, RYT (she/her)
Clinician/ Kesher Outreach & Chaplaincy Heather is an HUC-JIR ordained rabbi and received an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Spiritual Integration through Fordham University in May 2024. Prior to starting at JCS, Heather worked as the Director of Community Engagement for Tzedek Box, an organization that helps integrate mindfulness practices into Jewish social justice efforts. Heather has worked in a wide range of programmatic, educational, and pastoral capacities in the US and Israel, and loves the challenge of crafting creative spiritual experiences to meet the needs of our moment. Heather began working for Jewish Collaborative Services in June 2024 and serves in an integrative role as a clinician in the counseling center as well as a Jewish communal chaplain for the JERI and Kesher programs. Heather splits her time at JCS between the counseling center, where she works as an LMHC-A therapist for children (ages 10+) and adults, and interfacing with the broader RI Jewish community, meeting with communal leaders and providing pastoral support for any of the nearly 200 Jewish elders supported by our JERI program. A North Attleboro native who grew up attending Temple Beth El, Heather is delighted to have landed back in Rhode Island and feels honored each day to work alongside so many caring and dedicated colleagues at JCS. When she is not working, Heather enjoys tending to her plants and her herb garden, and cuddling her enthusiastic dog, Luna. |
