Rabbinical Board Roles and Policies

The Rabbinical Board of Bereishis Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Georgia on May 8, 2025, provides religious and halachic oversight to ensure our programs align with Jewish law and values, supporting our mission to provide financial support for children’s psychotherapy, ensuring no child is turned away due to financial barriers. Learn more about our mission.

Core Role

Provide religious and halachic oversight to ensure our programs align with Jewish law and values.

Key Duties

• Guidance on Halachic Matters: Offer direction on issues such as therapy on Yom Tov/Shabbos, religious sensitivities in sessions, or special accommodations for observant clients.
• Policy Review: Co-author or approve official halachic guidance documents or policies.
• Case Consultation: Be available for case-by-case consultation when religious questions arise in therapy.
• Confidentiality: Sign and uphold a confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement.

Expectations

• Consultation Frequency: Per case or policy as needed.
• Public Listing: Optional, name/title may be listed publicly for transparency.
• Communication: Email and WhatsApp group (separate or joint with Clinical Board if appropriate).
• Meetings: Occasional policy meetings with advance notice.
• Liability: Covered by Bereishis Foundation’s indemnification policies.
• Potential Conflicts: Disclose any affiliations that might present a halachic conflict.

Clinical Board Roles and Policies

The Clinical Board of Bereishis Foundation Inc. provides mental health oversight to ensure our subsidized therapy programs meet high professional standards, serving as a consultation resource on best practices, modalities, and clinical decisions, and advising leadership on ethical, legal, and safety concerns in service delivery, in support of our mission to fund therapy for children in need. Learn more about our mission.

Core Role

Provide mental health oversight to ensure Bereishis Foundation’s subsidized therapy programs meet high professional standards. Serve as a consultation resource on best practices, modalities, and clinical decisions. Advise leadership on ethical, legal, and safety concerns in service delivery.

Key Duties

• Case Review Meetings: Attend a 30-minute Zoom meeting every 2 weeks (biweekly) to review active patient cases. Offer input on treatment plans, clinical concerns, and progress.
• High-Risk Consultation: Be available via WhatsApp group for urgent questions or unexpected situations (e.g., abuse reports, suicidality, emergency referrals).
• Intake & Review Guidelines: Help develop and update intake protocols for clients and providers.
• Review New Provider Applications: Review new provider applications when needed.
• Oversight of Therapy Modalities: Advise on which modalities (CBT, DBT, Play Therapy, EMDR, etc.) fit client needs.
• Crisis Management: Provide guidance on mandated reporting, involuntary hospitalization, or crisis safety planning.
• Confidentiality: Sign and uphold a confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement.
• Policy Input: Review and provide feedback on clinical policies or new program structures.
• Ongoing Education: Participate in occasional training calls via Zoom to stay current on best practices and emerging needs.

Expectations

• Public Listing: Optional, with name/title (bio/photo encouraged but not required).
• Communication: Email is primary; phone/WhatsApp for urgent matters. Join private WhatsApp group for active board members.
• Meetings: Biweekly Zoom meetings (30 minutes) plus occasional training and policy meetings with at least 7-10 days advance notice.
• Liability: Covered by Bereishis Foundation’s board indemnification policies.
• Potential Conflicts: Disclose any external affiliations that could create conflicts.

Board of Directors Roles and Policies

The Board of Directors of Bereishis Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Georgia on May 8, 2025, provides strategic oversight and governance to ensure the organization’s mission to provide financial support for children’s psychotherapy is fulfilled effectively and sustainably, ensuring no child is turned away due to financial barriers. Learn more about our mission.

Core Role

Provide strategic leadership, financial oversight, and governance to advance the Foundation’s mission, ensuring alignment with legal, ethical, and halachic standards.

Key Duties

• Strategic Planning: Develop and approve long-term goals and strategies to expand access to therapy for children in need.
• Financial Oversight: Review and approve annual budgets, financial reports, and audits to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Fundraising: Support fundraising efforts, including donor engagement and grant applications, to sustain the emergency therapy fund.
• Policy Approval: Approve organizational policies, including those co-authored by the Rabbinical and Clinical Boards, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code (O.C.G.A. Title 14).
• Program Oversight: Monitor the effectiveness of therapy programs, ensuring they meet the needs of children and families in need.
• Leadership Appointment: Appoint and evaluate the Executive Director, providing guidance to ensure effective management.
• Confidentiality: Sign and uphold a confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement, consistent with Rabbinical and Clinical Board policies.
• Community Engagement: Promote the Foundation’s mission through advocacy, partnerships, and community outreach, as highlighted on our story page.

Expectations

• Meeting Frequency: Attend quarterly board meetings (in-person or via Zoom) and special meetings as needed, with at least 7-10 days advance notice.
• Public Listing: Optional, with name/title listed publicly for transparency (bio/photo encouraged but not required).
• Communication: Email is primary; phone/WhatsApp for urgent matters. Join private WhatsApp group for active board members.
• Liability: Covered by Bereishis Foundation’s board indemnification policies.
• Potential Conflicts: Disclose any external affiliations that could create conflicts with the Foundation’s mission or operations.
• Commitment: Actively participate in fundraising and advocacy to support the Foundation’s goal of ensuring no child is turned away from therapy due to financial barriers.

Contact Us

For questions about these policies or to get involved, contact us at bereishisfoundation@hotmail.com or call +1 (706) 502-7455, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM EST.