The Sy Levine Addiction Resource Center
Gabe Nemeth, President
The Sy Levine Addiction Resource Center was established at Temple
Torah because of the commitment and tenacity of Sy Levine,
who saw the need for this service and acted upon that concern.
We are following Sy’s blueprint and other synagogue models
who have acted to provide alcohol and other drug information
to its members.
This initiative is based upon the Jewish tradition that Jews will
help each other in time of need.
It is clear from statistics that seniors sometimes turn to drugs
(prescription drugs as well) and alcohol to cope with periods of
loneliness and depression. Our children and grandchildren,
brothers & sisters, moms & dads, under the stress of life sometimes
turn to alcohol and drugs. Synagogues have now formed a
resource that their members can go for information. Temple Torah
has joined that effort.
Abraham Twerski, M.D. a leading authority on substance abuse
in the Jewish Community, “It must be understood that chemical
dependency…is a malignant condition. Unless arrested, it is like a
cancer: progressive, destructive and lethal. It may claim as its
victims not only the user, but the family members as well. With a
problem of this severity, we can no longer afford to deny or hide
our need for help.
The Sy Levine Addiction Resource Center (Tzivtei T’shuvah) at
Temple Torah will be made up of a group of lay leaders who can
provide resource assistance. Please keep in mind that this is not a
counseling service. This service is solely for the purpose of providing
information to those in need of where to go for help. This
will be on a strictly confidential basis.
Our Addiction Resource Center has grown and its volunteers
have experience and knowledge of addiction related problems.
The following members have agreed to serve and assist those
who seek information. The team is made up of the following
members. Facilitator, Annette Botnick, Kathy Porges, Ilene Patterson,
Naomi Alter, Bonnie Greenberg, Sheila Drew, Joan Fundiller,
Naomi Levine.
