T’Shuvah – a Jewish Response to the Opioid Epidemic

As a Jewish addiction treatment center, Beit T’Shuvah has been immersed in a 30-year study of what we call human brokenness – the inherent inner human dilemma wherein we live in an uncertain world with uncertain meaning and an uncertain future. Our teachers have been those in our community who are most acutely broken: the junkies, criminals, alcoholics, gamblers and thieves, who are no longer able to deny their inner scission. We have found that the destructive behavior of addiction and crime are the most severe symptoms of a deeper brokenness, truly, the inability to integrate our contradictory selves.

At Beit T’Shuvah we believe that the antidote to this human dilemma is contained in a deeply personal and relevant Judaism. It is a Judaism that understands the Torah as a guide to living as complete human beings – as both holy souls and imperfect beings that make mistakes. The concept of T’Shuvah is both the foundation of healing that takes place at Beit T’Shuvah and the cornerstone of prevention and recovery in a world that is currently riddled with addiction.

Rabbi Mark Borovitz, Senior Rabbi of Beit T’Shuvah, will share how to use the power of T’Shuvah in our everyday lives through stories, texts and one-on-one immersive learning with current Beit T’Shuvah residents. Whether the issue is personal or professional or both, we invite all of those who want to gain a deeper understanding of addiction in the Jewish community and who are looking to be part of the solution.