Sinai to launch first Jewish therapeutic day school in U.S.
At its annual dinner on Sunday night, the Sinai Schools announced that it will open a therapeutic high school, the first Jewish school of its kind in the country. There is now no Jewish therapeutic day school for students with mental health challenges in the United States although there has been a tremendous increase in mental health needs. Teenagers increasingly suffer from anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation; Jewish teenagers are not exempt from this trend.
The new Adir Academy will be in New York City and will provide year-round services for students suffering from significant emotional challenges. Dr. Rebecca Eliason, Adir’s co-founder, will become the associate dean of Sinai’s therapeutic schools.
“For a family already struggling with the pain and fear that come with helping their child through a mental health crisis, the lack of a Jewish educational option for their child compounds the family’s suffering,” Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Rothwachs, Leo Brandstatter z”l Dean of Sinai Schools, said.
“Families in need frequently turn to Sinai when their child is struggling in a mainstream school, thinking that we will be able to help no matter what type of challenge the child faces,” Arielle Greenbaum Saposh, Sinai’s associate managing director, said. “However, SINAI’s current schools serve students with developmental and complex learning disabilities and are not designed with the necessary infrastructure to support students with significant mental health challenges.”
At Adir Academy, students will receive significant amounts of individual, group, and family therapy. In addition to a highly trained mental health team, every teacher and every member of the staff will be trained to provide high-quality therapeutic support throughout the day. “Working on therapeutic skills in real-life situations helps students to generalize the skills they are learning,” Dr. Eliason said. “Students will not only be working toward their therapeutic goals in therapy sessions with the clinical team, but also throughout the school day, including in college preparatory classes, Judaic studies, extracurricular activities, and social interactions.”
Dr. Eliason was head of school and director of psychological services at Barnstable Academy, a college prep school in Oakland that provides academic excellence in a warm, supportive environment designed to help students thrive. Her success there made her a sought-after consultant and presenter. She has conducted school leadership trainings, parent workshops, and practical staff development for secular and Jewish day schools and consults with schools to help them meet the needs of individual students.
In her private practice, Dr. Eliason is widely recognized for her success in developing creative approaches and plans for children who are struggling with mental health challenges.
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