BaMidbar was founded as the only Jewish intensive wilderness-based therapeutic program, providing life-changing interventions for Jewish teens and young adults struggling with mental health challenges. Over time, we recognized the need to expand beyond an intensive intervention model to address mental health at a systemic level. Today, BaMidbar has grown into a national community health organization focused on building resilience in Jewish teens and young adults while providing education on mental health to the adults in their ecosystem.
Our growth has been both intentional and necessary. Mental health challenges among Jewish youth are rising at an alarming rate. Studies show that 1 in 3 Jewish teens experience significant anxiety or depression (Institute of Jewish Policy Research), and suicide rates among adolescents have increased by 60% over the past decade (CDC). Jewish college students, in particular, are facing heightened stress and burnout, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive mental health support (PMC). In response, BaMidbar has continued to lead the way, ensuring that Jewish teens and young adults are not only supported in times of crisis but are also equipped with the tools to build resilience and positive coping skills—essential for fostering a sense of safety and a strong Jewish identity.
A major step in our evolution has been the expansion of our direct clinical services, with a full-service therapeutic clinic in Boston offering mental health support for Jewish teens and young adults ages 13–28. Led by our Clinical Director, Gabriela Lupatkin, our clinical team provides evidence-based therapy that is culturally responsive to Jewish identity, tradition, and community dynamics. What sets BaMidbar apart from many other Jewish mental health organizations is that our clinicians are deeply engaged in building our educational experiences—ensuring that our mental health programming remains grounded in best practices, relevant to today’s challenges, and centered in experiential education and Jewish thought.
BaMidbar partners with JCCs, Jewish day and overnight camps, Hillels, youth groups, synagogues, day schools, and other Jewish youth-serving institutions to deliver dynamic, interactive workshops that equip professionals, parents, and youth with concrete mental health education, coping strategies, and resiliency skills. Our approach is rooted in experiential learning, creating engaging and transformative opportunities for Jewish communities to build resilience, develop coping skills, and foster well-being.
Introducing the Jewish Teen & Young Adult Advisory Committee
As part of our ongoing commitment to centering Jewish youth voices, BaMidbar is proud to launch the Jewish Teen & Young Adult Advisory Committee—a dynamic new initiative that places Jewish youth at the center of our work. This committee will serve as a platform for Jewish teens and young adults (ages 16–25) who are passionate about mental health advocacy, education, and leadership development.
Through this initiative, committee members will:
- Advocate for mental health awareness in Jewish communities.
- Develop leadership skills to shape the future of Jewish mental health.
- Offer a youth perspective to BaMidbar’s Board of Directors.
- Work on an annual initiative to support BaMidbar’s programming, outreach, or advocacy efforts.
- Cultivate future Jewish leadership in the mental health space.
This advisory committee is more than just an exciting initiative—it is the living embodiment of BaMidbar’s growth as an organization. It ensures that we remain responsive to the evolving needs of Jewish youth while continuing to lead with authenticity, relevance, and a commitment to best practices in mental health education and services.
Jewish teens and young adults need and deserve mental health support that is accessible, proactive, and rooted in Jewish values. By equipping them with resilience-building tools and positive coping skills, we are strengthening not only their well-being but also the future of Jewish life itself. BaMidbar is committed to ensuring that no Jewish teen or young adult has to navigate their mental health journey alone—and this new advisory committee is a powerful step in that direction.
We invite Jewish teens and young adults who are passionate about mental health to join us in shaping the future. The application for our Teen and Young Adult Advisory Committee can be found here.
Together, we will continue to build a Jewish community that prioritizes mental health, fosters resilience, and empowers the next generation to thrive.