Pikuach Nefesh (Save a Life): Storytelling, Jewish Values & Narcan Training featuring Joel Dworkin

The Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh demands that we throw almost all rules aside in the pursuit of saving life, and being trained to use Narcan to reverse an overdose can help you do just that!

We’ll hear from Joel Dworkin, program manager and substance use recovery advocate, about his personal journey with drug use and recovery in the Jewish community, while connecting these ideas to Jewish values and the upcoming holiday of Purim. This session will include a formal nasal Narcan training for all attendees, who will also receive a Narcan kit to take home.

This program is intented for college students and young adults, approximately ages 18-40. Light Kosher refreshments will be served following the program. Due to the generosity of donors, there is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required.

This program is held in partnership with The Well, Jewish Family Service, Repair the World Detroit, Hillel of Metro Detroit, the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, Jewish Addiction Resource Alliance, Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, HAMSA, and the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House.

Learn more about Joel Dworkin:

In 2008, Joel Dworkin entered an inpatient treatment center and then a wilderness therapy program for heroin addiction. It not only ended his drug use but fed his interest in working in the outdoor education and recovery fields. He worked at Camp Ramah of the Rockies for five years, helping them start a program for campers to learn about addiction and recovery. That sparked a chance for him to help start BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy in Colorado, a program for Jewish young adults struggling with mental health challenges. He continued to work with Jewish camps until moving to Chicago. While in Chicago he completed a long overdue bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University and worked as the Youth Programs Manager for Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym. He currently manages HAMSA (Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse), which educates the greater Atlanta community about substance use disorder and harm reduction and provides support, treatment resources, and strategies for those seeking help and in recovery.