ABOUT
Our Mission
BaMidbar’s mission is to ensure that Jewish youth and young adults have the confidence, skills, and community support to navigate life’s challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.
OUR VISION
BaMidbar envisions a Jewish community that actively supports its members in building mental health and wellness.
We achieve our mission and vision through community education and by providing wilderness-based journeys of self-discovery, hope, and healing.
BaMidbar supports Jewish young adults struggling with mental health challenges through immersive, wilderness-based, Therapeutic Expeditions.
BaMidbar supports all Jewish teens and young adults, regardless of their mental health history, through Wellness Programs focused on building resilience through increased self-confidence, skill-building, and healthy relationships.
BaMidbar provides Professional Development for Jewish community professionals looking to expand their mental health literacy and explore facilitation through the lens of social and emotional growth.
Kavod
כבוד
Promoting honor, dignity, and respect for ourselves and others.
Simcha
שמחה
Finding joyful Jewish meaning in every aspect of our lives.
Tzmicha Ishit
צמיחה אישית
Accepting and pursuing the challenges of personal transformation.
Kehilla
קהילה
Cultivating the power of an inclusive and supportive community.
Jory Hanselman Mayschak
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jory has experienced wilderness programs from the client and staff perspective, in field-based and office-based roles, in Jewish and secular settings, and in private industry and non-profit sectors. Jory received her undergraduate degree from Tufts University and her master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from the University of Colorado. She is also part of the Wexner Field Fellowship for Jewish community leaders.
Nick Magle-Haberek
Clinical Director
Nick has worked in a variety of roles in the field of wilderness therapy and adventure education, including field guide, individual therapist, clinical supervisor, program manager, family therapist, and clinical director. After working as a field guide, Nick earned master’s degrees in both Social Work and Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire and returned to wilderness therapy in a clinical role. Nick is also on the leadership committee for the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group.
Emily Heeren
Admissions & Outreach Director
Emily has worked with youth and young adults both in and outside of the formal classroom. With a foundation in experiential learning, Emily has applied her skills through teaching roles in high school special education, higher education, and mental health settings. Emily received her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching with a concentration in Special Education from Boston University.
Moss Herberholz
Communications Coordinator
Starting in 2015, Moss has worked as a Jewish nature educator for Jewish organizations including Ramah in the Rockies and Teva (a program of Hazon). Since it’s pilot season, Moss has filled many roles at BaMidbar including as a logistics coordinator, assistant field guide, lead field guide, and most recently in his role as the communications coordinator. He has a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is currently pursuing an MSW as a fellow in the Jewish Communal Leadership Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Our Board
Douglas Wolf, Treasurer
Teena Slatkin
Cliff Stockton
Marla Kaufman, Secretary
Rabbi Anat Moskowitz
We Have no open positions at this time
Seasonal Summer
Field Coordinator
The role of the Field Coordinator is to oversee the logistics of field groups in accordance with BaMidbar’s guidelines and strengths-based program philosophy. The Coordinator will mentor field staff and support their personal and professional development, and promote a culture of safety in all aspects of programming.
Seasonal Summer
Field Guide
BaMidbar’s Field Guides serve as mentors and wilderness guides for young adults struggling with mild to moderate social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges. Through applying therapeutic concepts, teaching technical and fundamental skills, integrating Jewish values and traditions, and connecting personally with students, staff serve as a support system for program participants. BaMidbar’s supportive, strengths-based approach encourages students to move beyond their comfort zones to experience new, unexpected levels of confidence, personal achievement, and growth. BaMidbar is currently hiring field guides for Spring & Summer as well as Summer Only.
Blog
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Support Groups and Mental Health Trainings in the Time of COVID-19
Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Community Partners, We hope this email finds you and your loved ones in good health. In this climate of uncertainty and social distancing, isolation and mental health challenges are on the rise. The BaMidbar team is reaching out today to offer our assistance. We …
Introducing BaMidbar’s Field Team
As BaMidbar prepares for an intensive three weeks of staff training, we are excited to introduce our field team, who serve as mentors and guides for students in our program. Through applying therapeutic concepts, teaching technical and fundamental skills, integrating Jewish values and traditions, and connecting personally with …
What Does it Mean to be a Jewish Wilderness Therapy Program?
By: Gabi Wasserman Does it mean that BaMidbar accommodates Jewish ritual requirements? We do. However, this is only a part of why we call ourselves a Jewish residential therapeutic program. Havdallah candle