The State of Jewish Mental Health: Understanding Today’s Landscape, Challenges & Resources

The mental health landscape for the Jewish community has changed significantly in recent years. Jewish patients, families and healthcare professionals are navigating new challenges, while Jewish psychologists and other mental health professionals are confronting issues within their own field.

Join AJMA for a timely conversation exploring the state of Jewish mental health today—including what Jewish psychologists and patients are experiencing, gaps in culturally responsive care, and the resources available to patients, families and healthcare professionals.

Moderated by Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, the conversation will feature:

Dr. Jessica Zmood — Gesher Community Care

Dr. Tara Liberman — Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI)

Dr. Paul Newland — JQ International

Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer — Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP)

Panelists will bring perspectives from across the Jewish mental health community, followed by an audience Q&A.

Tuesday, October 27

8:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM PT

Online webinar

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern is a clinical psychologist, Director of Trauma Training and Services at Parents for Peace, and Lecturer in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. She is an internationally recognized expert in trauma, extremism, and identity-based violence, with nearly two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, research, public policy, and digital health innovation. Dr. Bar-Halpern is a leading scholar on traumatic invalidation, with pioneering work examining its role in the psychological impact of antisemitism and identity-based trauma. She is the developer of the SHALEM Method™, a trauma-informed framework for understanding and healing the effects of traumatic invalidation, antisemitism, and other identity-based traumas.

Dr. Jessica Zmood is a New York State Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Manhattan since 2010. She is also Co-Founder and Director of Gesher Community Care, a nonprofit mental health organization dedicated to connecting members of the Jewish community with safe, culturally responsive, and affordable mental health care. She earned her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and completed her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Zmood trained at Mount Sinai’s Addiction Institute, North General Hospital, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Lincoln Medical Center, with extensive training in psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment across diverse and Spanish-speaking populations.

Dr. Tara Liberman is a licensed psychologist and the Founder and Executive Director of the Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI). She maintains a private practice in New York City, specializing in psychotherapy with children, adolescents and adults. She also serves on the faculty of the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training Program at the William Alanson White Institute, where she teaches and supervises psychology and social work trainees, and is a candidate in the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.

Paul Newland, Ph.D., LMFT, (he/she/they/any) is the Director of Clinical Education and Wellness at JQ International, an experiential educator, marriage and family therapist, and clinical counselor who has spent over a decade helping people of every age feel seen, supported, and capable of growth in the face of challenge. Paul follows a passion for social and environmental justice, as well as a true appreciation for the natural spaces and communities these ideas aim to protect and strengthen. Paul currently works in private practice and serves as the Director of Wellness Education at JQ International, aiming for growth and capacity-building while bringing a trauma-informed, strengths-based narrative approach that meets each person with compassion and curiosity first.

Dr. Beth N. Rom-Rymer, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, and legislative advocate, co-Founder and President, Association of Jewish Psychologists. Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer has been a lifelong trailblazer. She helped to create the field of forensic geriatrics (2000); led the psychologists’ team that won legislative prescriptive authority in Illinois (2014); became a national/international leader/psychologists’ prescriptive authority; a national/international spokesperson on understanding Jewish identity/fighting antisemitism.  Dr. Rom-Rymer has taught at several Universities; is Founder, President, CEO, Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists (IAPP); a co-founder/President, Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP); past member, APA Board of Directors; authored several publications/received numerous awards.

Thank You to Our Premier National Sponsor

AJMA is grateful to Bolts by Zeus, our Premier National Sponsor, for its generous support of our mission. Our growing lineup of educational programs, webinars, and community events would not be possible without the commitment of sponsors who believe in our work. Thank you to the Bolts by Zeus team for helping us bring these important opportunities to Jewish healthcare professionals and students across the country.