Support Services at JWell
JWell offers a variety of support groups at B'nai Jeshurun.
GRIEF GROUPS
LOSS OF SPOUSE
In the fall, there is a grief support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or parent a month or more ago. This group is facilitated by experienced mental health and grief social worker, Mary Fisher Bornstein, LISW-S and Rabbi Alex Rosenbaum.
We offer a second support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse 2+ years ago. This group meets every other monday from 3-4:00pm and is facilitated by Sandra Lawrence.
LOSS OF PARENT
The group for loss of parent is facilitated by Mary Fisher Bornstein, LISW-S and Rabbi Alex Rosenbaum. The group will meet in winter 2027. Dates to come.
LOSS OF CHILD
In August and September 2026, we will offer a 6 week grief group for those who have lost children. Parents who have lost adult children are welcome in this group.
LOSS BY SUICIDE
In winter/spring 2027, we will offer a 6 week grief group for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
These groups will be limited to 15 people. We think this is a very important part of our mission and we look forward to offering this vital service.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
JWell is offering three caregiver support sessions in October 2026. This group will be facilitated by Mary Fisher Bornstein, LISW-S and Rabbi Alex Rosenbaum.
Meetings are held at B'nai Jeshurun in the Minyan Breakfast Room. If you are interested in joining us, sign up below and we will get back to you shortly. If you know anyone who could benefit from this group, please send them our way.
ADDICTION SUPPORT
JWell houses a weekly men’s AA group, facilitated by Mark Saffran. This group meets on Monday mornings at 7:30am in Halpern Hall at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation.
Reach out to Mark to learn more.
If you are interested in being a part of Al-Anon, a group for family members of people who have struggled with addiction, please reach out to us at JWell.
Our Grief Support Team
Mary Fisher Bornstein
LISW-S, grief counselorMary Bornstein has been a steady, compassionate presence at The Gathering Place since 2000, helping shape the heart of many of the programs participants rely on most. With a master’s degree in social work and decades of experience in cancer support, Mary has helped develop and lead healing-centered offerings ranging from Reiki and Healing Arts services to specialized support groups for blood cancers, prostate cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and grief.
Grief counselorSandra Lawrence
Following the sudden passing of her 25-year-old daughter, Tiffany, to suicide in 2012,
Sandy Lawrence was inspired to channel her profound grief into a deep sense of purpose. Today, she has extensive training in several bereavement modalities and has earned certifications as an End-of-Life/Death Doula, Grief Practitioner, Grief Recovery Method Specialist, and a Grief Support Group Facilitator through The Cornerstone of Hope.
Sandy is deeply passionate about sharing this knowledge to help others process the emotional trauma of losing a loved one. Driven by this mission, she founded and directs two separate grief support organizations, The Bereavement Bridge and The Broken Crayons Society. She also established Tiffany's Way, a nonprofit serving Ohio homeless shelters to carry forward the passionate dedication and extraordinary work Tiffany did prior to her passing.
A dedicated member of the B'nai Jeshurun Congregation, Sandy excels at creating safe, dignified spaces for communal healing and is known for her gentle, comforting presence and collaborative leadership. Outside of her dedicated advocacy and counseling work, Sandy cherishes life with her husband, Eric, their three grown children—Erin, Monica, and Zack—and the joy of being a grandmother.