OPEN Rapid Case Study: Service Coordination Program – Jewish Care

Picture Credit @Jewish Care

Jewish Care has been working with the community as it experienced waves of migration throughout its 170+ years of operation – Holocaust survivors post World War II, migrants from the former Soviet Union, South Africa and South America and more recently Israel. Whilst complementing the work they do with Australian born Jews, these migrants have brought with them significant traumas that have had to be understood to be better addressed. Often their traumas have been in relation to their experiences of being Jewish; a religion and culture that has been persecuted for centuries.

The Service Coordination team has existed in one form or another for many years. More recently it was identified that within Individual and Family Services there needed to be a group of highly skilled generalist social workers who could not only meet the broad range of needs that families present with, but also individuals with complex needs.

• Grounded in trauma-informed practice — The model recognises that the community carries with it a history of trauma that is experienced inter-generationally as well as current experiences of being “othered” resulting from being part of a minority community and religion. Anti-Semitism has in many ways shaped the communal experience and understanding its impact is vital.
  
• Person-centred — The services and supports are wrapped around the individual/family ensuring need is addressed across multiple platforms; with needs of each person being addressed.
  
• Nuanced approach to religion and customs — It is vital to consider people’s relationship with Judaism and create a safe space for traditional customs. People may have different levels of inclination to Judaism; or may belong to different sects which have their own set of practices and religious expressions (there are about 6-7 different Jewish sects).The Service Coordination team take time to understand these different elements when working with the community. They are respectful of Jewish festivals and religious practices, avoiding contact on holy days as a mark of respect for the Jewish faith.Food is an incredibly important part of Jewish culture and the provision of food is an important tool used for engagement. Ensuring food provision is kosher is essential when working with the community even if not all members keep kosher.The team works with community leaders such as rabbis and their wives around prevention and early intervention of family violence by holding information sessions in a culturally sensitive way. Knowledge of the Jewish Calendar, customs and the communal spaces including the synagogues, the mikvot (ritual baths), the child-care centres and schools, the youth movements, Ajax and Maccabi (Jewish Sport Centres) and more provides the opportunity for positive behavioral change.
  
• Non-recognition of diverse religious expression and provision of generic approaches do not work — Although Jewish Care, and more specifically Service Coordination, provides culturally-responsive support, there is a small ultra-orthodox sect/s (Adass and Satma communities) within the community which generally does not engage with the service. These sects follow very traditional customs and practices which for the most part is highly insular and self-reliant, rejecting of secular life, language, customs and interactions.Despite Jewish Care being culturally embedded in the community, for some in the ultra-orthodox community, the organisation is seen as too mainstream, making engagement a greater challenge. However, efforts are being made through a project targeting these communities which include strengthening of relationships with key community leaders in future.