JFCS knows that grief doesn’t end with shiva. Grieving parents will find comfort, compassion, and mutual understanding at our Parental Bereavement Support Group.

When a child of any age dies, parents mourn and begin the long process of bereavement. Individuals often experience immediate shock, numbness, denial, and disbelief, which cushion the full impact of the loss. As time passes and these emotions wear off, others may emerge…from guilt, anger, and loneliness to despair, sadness, and regret. These feelings are all part of the emotional reaction called “grief” and may be too overwhelming for parents to process on their own. Some parents express their grief easily and openly, while others keep their feelings locked away. Although there is no “right” to grieve, many bereaved parents have found it helpful to have some guidance along the road to healing.

Many find hope and comfort by sharing their stories with others, and—more importantly—being free to speak their child’s name without fear of others turning away when the tears do come. Sharing eases the loneliness and enables parents to express their grief in an accepting and understanding atmosphere.

With a new eight-week session forming this fall, JFCS’s Parental Bereavement Group is a safe space where grieving parents can find the courage and emotional strength to persevere, despite their unfathomable loss, and bring positive change to their lives. Facilitated by Debra Goldsmith, MSW, the group is offered at no cost to participants.

The group incorporates a variety of tools including education about loss, discussions, art therapy, letter-writing to lost children, and journaling to increase members’ coping skills.  A supportive friendship grows between the group members over the course of the eight sessions.  According to a recent participant, “The group was small enough to feel comfortable talking.  I liked everything about the group.”

The Parental Bereavement Group is free and open to the entire community; however, advance registration is required. For more information, please call JFCS at (856) 424-1333.

Sponsored by the Sharing and Healing while Mourning our Children Foundation in loving memory of Matthew Bandler Minches, Jamie Brooke Lieberman, and Joel Lawrence Weiner

Sibshops Create a Healthy Outlet for Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs

It’s not easy to have a sibling with special needs. Parental attention may be lacking. There may be scary health issues. Parents may not be able to purchase desired toys or clothes if family funds are needed for therapies or medical appointments. The behavior of one’s sibling may cause embarrassment, bullying, or social isolation. Jeers like “your brother is weird” or “your sister looks strange” are hard to handle for any child.  And for teens, for whom appearances are all-consuming, it may be even more challenging to reconcile love for one’s sibling with the anxiety differences can produce.

JFCS is acutely aware that siblings of individuals with special needs have unique needs of their own, requiring extra attention. To meet these needs, our Special Needs Department hosts Sibshops, a therapeutic group for children, ages 6 to 12, who have siblings with disabilities. In this safe space, staff listen, support, and educate the participants through discussions, crafts, and games.

The group helps children connect, so that they can understand they are not alone and have others with whom to share their experiences, thus diminishing their feelings of loneliness. They learn valuable strategies for coping while having fun.  The environment helps kids recognize the positive qualities of their siblings, develop self-esteem, and harness a greater pool of strength.

Siblings are not the only ones who appreciate Sibshops.  Stated one mother whose son participated in the group, “Jackson* really needed this.  He came home talking about it, and most importantly, it gave him an outlet to vent his feelings.”

The fall 2019 session of Sibshops launches on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:15pm to 5:45pm at the Weinberg Commons, 1721 Springdale Road. The group will run for four sessions and costs $100. To register online, please visit jfcssnj.org/sibshopsreg.

If you or someone you know may be interested in having their child participate, please contact Jane Abesh at jabesh@jfedsnj.org at 856-424-1333.

Grant funding provided by The Jewish Community Foundation.

*Client’s name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.