Serenity Shabbat supports recovery

It was just over a decade ago that the Winnipeg “cradle to grave” social service agency, Jewish Child and Family Service, launched its comprehensive addiction-services program and hired its first ever addiction-services co-ordinator.

In the years since, those services have expanded, evolved and offered support to numerous individuals and families struggling with addictions and hoping for healing.

The program takes place within the confines of safe and nurturing environments committed to the idea that Jewish spirituality, values and teachings have a critical role to play in recovery.

The annual Serenity Shabbat — which takes place today, following National Addictions Awareness Week — is part of this program.

“Serenity Shabbat is a special service or gathering designed to raise awareness, offer support and build community around the themes of addiction, recovery and ending stigma,” explains agency addictions counsellor Abiodun Raji. “This is done all within the sacred and healing context of Jewish tradition.”

The first ever documented Serenity Shabbat took place in a synagogue in Orange County, Calif., in 2018, and has since been duplicated in and adapted by other North American congregations. It was introduced in Winnipeg three years ago.

A Serenity Shabbat synagogue service follows the regular Sabbath observations and customs, but supplements them with supplications, readings and speakers with experience of addiction and recovery.

Winnipegger Scott McWilliam is one of the featured speakers this year. A self-described Jew-by-choice, McWilliam will be addressing congregants at the North End egalitarian synagogue Chevra Mishnayes, one of seven local synagogues participating in the special Shabbat. While the host synagogues represent different denominations of Judaism, they share an awareness that addiction is a growing problem in the Jewish community, just as it is in all other ethnic and religious communities. They also share the conviction that Judaism can help guide those affected to greater serenity and a more positive sense of self.

McWilliam will be sharing his story: “What it was like, what happened and what it is like now, hoping to convey a message of experience, strength and hope for the congregation.”

That message will align perfectly with the Saturday morning’s Torah reading.

“The Torah portion for Shabbat that day deals with themes of struggle, spiritual disconnection, and the journey towards personal growth and redemption,” says Robbie Waldman, president of the Chevra Mishnayes. “These are fitting themes for Serenity Shabbat.”

By welcoming those affected by addictions to bask in the sense of community, calm and rejuvenation intrinsic to the Sabbath service, the Chevra Mishnayes and the other host synagogues are helping JCFS continue to foster open and honest conversations about the issue, the struggles that define it, and the various paths that can lead to resilience and recovery.

“Addicts, and those who love them, often hide in the shadows due to shame, fear of exposure, (and) loss of reputation,” McWilliam says.

In the last dozen years, however, the Winnipeg Jewish community’s social service agency has managed to reduce much of the stigma associated with addictions and help those affected feel seen, valued and supported.

“JCFS helps people in recovery return to a place of wholeness, renewal and growth through their Jewish faith,” Raji says.

That is an achievement that McWilliam and so many others are grateful for, not just on the Sabbath but every day of the year.

swchisvin@gmail.com

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