Refuat Ha-Nefesh Fellows Spiritual Care Program 2024-25 Application Form

We are interested in your reasons for wanting to join the program and the skills you might bring to your volunteering, so please fill out this form in its entirety. Once we have a fully completed application, we will contact you to schedule an interview.

NOTE: Most of our interactive programs this year will be conducted via Zoom, and we will offer three in-person sessions. The program also has a volunteer component that can be conducted in person or virtually. We will assist you in developing your volunteer participation.

A. Contact Information:

Name*

First NameLast Name

Title

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Home Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Mobile Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Work Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email*

example@example.com

Best way, day and times to contact you:*

Would you like to have some training in how to use Zoom for meetings?*

YesNo

B. Skills and Experience: In which areas do you feel you have skills? Also, include a brief synopsis of your relevant academic background and work experience. If you have skills you want to teach, please indicate below. (Yoga, Meditation, Art, Music, Journaling, Jewish Studies/Torah)

C. Previous Volunteer Experience:

D. References: Please include the name(s) and contact information for at least one reference.

E. Jewish Congregational Affiliations: Please list any affiliations and memberships in a synagogue or temple in the Miami area, and note if you are an officer, board member or committee chair. Also indicate if you serve on a Caring Community or Chesed or Bikkur Cholim Committee. If you are not, would you like to serve on such a committee?

F. Jewish Community Affiliations: Please list any affiliations and memberships, such as Jewish community centers, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, etc.

G. Criminal Background: Have you ever been charged with or convicted of a criminal offense?*

YesNo

If so, please explain.*

H. Demographics:

Date of Birth*

Date

Gender*

Marital Status*

Please list all languages spoken*

I. Brief Statement: In one paragraph, please explain your personal goals for participating in this program. What do you hope to learn or gain from this experience? *

J. Field Work:

This year, we ask you to develop or participate in a “Mitzvah Project.”

Examples of Mitzvah Projects:

Assisting with programs of Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS)
Developing a program for a JCC in any location
Developing a program with a caring committee of a congregation
Developing a program with Miami Jewish Health or other facility
Assisting with programs with the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Assisting with any hospice program volunteer department, such as VITAS, Accentcare or L’Chaim with Catholic Hospice

Types of programs might be:

Mindfulness skills training, including mussar, meditation, yoga or tai chi
Art or music programs
Calls to elders/others on a regular basis to check in and establish relationship
Visits with elders/others on a regular basis
A book club or short story group
A creative writing program
A legacy project
Delivering food on a regular basis
Helping out at the JCS Kosher Food Bank
Visting with any adult of any age who is in need of support or companionship

NOTE: If you are going to contribute an online workshop for a facility, it will probably require an application, interview and/or brief orientation and may require a background check, including fingerprints. (We will help pay for this if there is a charge.) Let us know if you will be caregiving to a family member or friend as your volunteer commitment.

Rabbi Cheryl Weiner will help develop your Mitzvah Project, monitor its progress and evaluate its success in conjunction with each volunteer and the collaborating facility or organization.

What kind of Mitzvah Project do you think you might be interested in in creating or joining?*

K. Statement of Commitment:

I understand that if I am accepted into the program, I commit myself to engaging in a Mitzvah Project that will represent about 30 hours of service to the community over the course of the 2025 year or being a caregiver to my family. This 30 hour commitment will continue until the end of 2025, where upon I may agree to keep volunteering my time.

I also commit myself to attend the weekly learning sessions on Tuesday evenings via Zoom and in person.

If I cannot make a session, I will contact Rabbi Cheryl Weiner, Director in advance to inform her when I will not be able to attend. While optional, I will try to attend Mishkan Miami and community programs that I am invited to and encouraged to participate in.

By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided is true and accurate, and I agree to the above-stated terms.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Date*

Date

Signature*

If you have any questions about the program, please contact:

Rabbi Cheryl Weiner, Director

Refuat Ha-Nefesh Fellows Training Program and Alumni Network

Mishkan Miami: Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Home Office: 954.929.2588

Cell Phone: 954.770.2406

Email: cweinermh@aol.com