Trauma Services

Life is unpredictable. Events such as sudden death, fire, or devastation caused by natural disasters have far‑reaching effects. The resulting anguish can go on for days, weeks, and years. It's critical that people have ongoing support as they go through the many stages of grief and recovery. Ohel’s caring team is there when it matters most. Trauma services we provide include:

  • Specialized support groups for those who have lost loved ones.
  • School-based services for children experiencing traumatic events.
  • Training of teachers and first responders in the aftermath of a tragic event.
  • Community-wide counseling forums and webinars in response to a traumatic event or acts of violence in the community.

Trauma Outreach and Services
Trauma Outreach and Services
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Trauma Outreach and Services
Leading our Crisis Response Team are internationally-renowned trauma expert Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Ohel's Zachter Family Chair in Trauma and Crisis, and Yitz Elman, Director of Mental Health Services. When an accident or untimely death, suicide, life‑threatening trauma, or act of violence in the community occur, we are ready to help.

Services we provide include:
  • Expert advice on explaining untimely death to a shocked community.
  • Guidance through the bereavement process.

Our diverse, professional team is available to communities both in the New York metropolitan area and across the country. Our Crisis Response staff includes licensed psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, art therapists, and other staff experienced in providing crisis counseling. This multi-cultural team can serve diverse communities with language proficiency in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
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Teacher Support Helpline
Teacher Support Helpline
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Teacher Support Helpline

The helpline is a confidential space where educators and youth support professionals can get support and guidance.  Under the supervision of Dr. Norman Blumenthal, the helpline is staffed by a team of experienced school psychologists and mental health professionals, available to provide free, confidential, one-on-one support, and links to professional help and resources as needed. 

718-686-3230

Summer Helpline Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 8pm-10pm EST

New Hours for the 2023-24 School Year:
Monday-Wednesday: 12pm-1pm EST
Wednesday-Thursday: 4pm-6pm EST

Funded by UJA-Federation of New York

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Disaster Mental Health Services
Disaster Mental Health Services
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Disaster Mental Health Services
Ohel's broad range of programs serves individuals at home and in the community, children both in and out of school, and employees and employers in the workplace. Trauma programs are launched in direct response to crises such as mass shootings, fires, accidents, floods, and most recently, COVID-19. Our work can alleviate the suffering of thousands of individuals who experience the impact of a disaster event.

From trauma counseling services to community education and outreach, we bring comfort and support to trauma victims while preparing individuals, institutions, and communities to cope with the ongoing effects of the tragedy. Our community-oriented specialists are also multilingual and speak Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Mandarin.
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Brecher Family South Florida Trauma Services



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Brecher Family South Florida Trauma Services

Services we provide include:

  • • Trauma team responding locally
  • • Short-term counseling for individuals experiencing trauma
  • • Teacher Support Helpline
  • • Resilience resources for educators and families

Led by:

Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Director of Trauma
Tzivy Reiter, LCSW
Director of Children’s and Trauma Services

For more information contact Bracha Rupp at bracha_rupp@ohelfamily.org or (954) 399-0997

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