Jewish Family Services (JFS) is launching another grief therapy group for Jews in the Kansas City area.
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 6, and running for nine consecutive weeks until March 2, this group will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. in the chapel at the Jewish Community Campus (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211). New participants are welcome through the second session, after which the group will be closed. This support group is jointly facilitated by Amy Povich, JFS therapist and LMSW; Rabbi Mark Levin, founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Torah; and JFS intern therapist Jill Schmuke.
Those grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to join the therapy group with a Jewish spiritual context. Participants will go through a set grief curriculum and are asked to attend each week.
“Jewish Family Services’ sponsored grief group enables participants to share their emotions in a safe environment, and they go through the long process of grieving a very human experience: the loss of a loved one,” Rabbi Levin said. “It's a privilege for me to listen as those who are grievers share their loving stories and move toward healing from their loss and creating a new life.”
“Each person who has experienced the loss of a loved one travels their own journey through grief,” Povich said. “Having a group like this where you get to walk beside others with similar pain can be such a helpful tool, no matter where you are in your own individual experience.”
The spring session of the support group will start on Tuesday, May 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the chapel. Once again, it will be co-facilitated by Rabbi Levin, Povich and an intern. This will also be nine sessions, closed after the second session, at the chapel.
More information is available by contacting JFS Counseling Intake Coordinator Jen Lydon at or (913) 521-4355.