Congregation Ner Tamid in San Francisco will host a special Havdallah service Saturday, Jan. 30 for Jews working to overcome substance abuse or a criminal past.
“Havdallah strengthens us for the next six days — it’s where we can get our psychospiritual batteries recharged,” said Rabbi Tsvi Bar-David, coordinator of the recovery Havdallah. “It’s also there to give us courage, to give us hope, that we can make it through the week sober.”
Ner Tamid typically does not gather for Havdallah. But Bar-David thought it was a natural bridge between Jewish ritual and the healing that recovering addicts search for.
“Judaism has a ton of resources for recovery. It’s a religion that was tailor-made for people in recovery,” said Bar-David, who lives in San Francisco.
The recovery Havdallah will feature Bay Area musicians, including Achi Ben Shalom, Phil Bell and drummer Eli Shirim Lester.
The service begins at 7 p.m. at Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., San Francisco. After the service, a light dinner will be provided, followed by a healing circle.
Bar-David hopes the Havdallah will help grow his Jewish 12-step group, which began in January with three participants. “I hope that we can develop a Jewish recovery community,” he said.
Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto will host a similar recovery Havdalah on March 20, Bar-David said.
For more information about the Jewish 12-step group or the recovery Havdallah, contact Rabbi Tsvi Bar-David, [email protected], (415) 387-6890.