Introduction

I am very excited to introduce myself, Amy Small, as the new Kesher social worker at Congregation Agudas Achim. I am looking forward to meeting you in person and getting to know how I can be of help.

Let me tell you a little about myself and what I hope to offer. I have been providing individual, group, and family therapy at Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island since 2013. Previously, I have had experience in community mental health settings, residential treatment programs for youth, and partial hospital programs. I have worked with all ages of people and have supported them through a wide variety of challenges in their lives.

In addition to my social work training, the biggest influence on my work with people is
my training as a martial artist and Zen practitioner. This training has supported my ability to be
truly present with people and to honor the myriad of connections between our minds and our
bodies.

As I begin to connect with you and your congregation, I hope to get a sense of how I can
be most helpful. Feel free to reach out to me if you have a topic you are interested in learning
more about, an area of need, or a challenge or concern you are struggling with. Please know that
all the services offered in Kesher are free, confidential, and available to all congregants. We
offer a confidential place to talk about what is on your mind, support in connecting with
resources and services, and group learning opportunities. Please find our services described in
more detail below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at
asmall@jfsri.org or 401-338- 8301.

Counseling
Maybe there has been a change in your life or a challenge has come up for you. Maybe you just
feel the need to talk through some things. We offer short term supportive counseling in person
or even over the phone. If longer term counseling is something you feel would be a better fit for
you, I can help connect you with someone.

Resources
Is there a service or support that you are seeking? As a Kesher social worker I have access to the
greater Jewish community, specific programs through Jewish Family Service, and other social
service agencies throughout Rhode Island. Resources are available in many areas such as
housing, transportation, fuel assistance, adoption, home health services, elder care, Lifeline
medical alert system, and food programs such as kosher nutrition and Meals on Wheels. Let me
know what you are looking for and I will connect you to the resource.
​
Learning
Kesher will coordinate speakers and special educational programming a couple of times a year at
Congregation Agudas Achim so keep an eye out for this! If you are interested in learning more
about a particular subject, please let me know. We have experts on many topics of interest
within our networks and we want to gear our programming to your interests and needs. Previous
programs have included: stigma and mental illness in the Jewish community, Parenting
Challenges, Adoption in the Jewish Community, The Adolescent Brain, Substance Abuse in the
Jewish Community, and Caring for Aging Parents.

I am looking forward to connecting with you!
Please call or email with any questions at asmall@jfsri.org or 401-338- 8301.