ABOUT US
The Kav L'Noar Lamerchav mental health clinic provides no cost outpatient psychotherapy services for the English speaking community of Beit Shemesh and its surrounding communities.
Our highly experienced and dedicated staff of native English-speaking clinicians provide expert service with costs covered by the Kupot Cholim.
-
Who can request therapy?Anyone who is facing difficulties, dilemmas, transitions issues or questions, crisis, ongoing struggling, or dealing with conflicts. Our clinic specializes in the treatment of Anglo olim, whether they be recent arrivals or established veterans. We offer therapy for individuals, couples and families. Our various therapists have experience treating issues such as anxiety, depression, OCD, grief, and complications from trauma— to name just a few.
-
How much does therapy cost?There is a small co-payment. It comes out once every three months through the Kupot Cholim. Anyone who has health insurance through the Kupot Cholim is eligible to have the cost of therapy covered.
-
Will I need a referral from a health care professional or agency?No formal referral is required. We do receive referrals from other organizations and professionals including doctors, psychologists, attorneys, and rabbis.
-
How can I request therapy at Kav L’noar/Lamerchav?If you are interested in counseling services, contact the Beit Shemesh clinic at 02-543-6846 . Our intake coordinator is specially trained to receive calls and take information in a professional and sensitive manner. After you have given preliminary details about your request for counseling, along with basic personal information (name, age, address, etc.), one of our therapists will contact you to schedule an initial appointment for a more extensive intake.
-
Who provides therapy?Our clinical staff consists of experienced therapists with masters or doctoral degrees in psychology or clinical social work. Therapists work under the supervision of highly qualified and seasoned clinical supervisors and receive ongoing continued education so as to remain up to date on the cutting-edge innovations of the field.
-
How do I determine what type of therapy is right for me and my family?At Kav L’noar/Lamerchav we view therapy as a collaborative process. The type of modality that is right for you and your family, whether it be individual, couple, or family therapy, is something that you and your therapist will discuss together and make a joint determination as to the most effective course of action.
-
Is therapy confidential?Confidentiality is our highest priority and our therapists are legally, ethically, and morally obligated to protect your privacy. Under no circumstances do our therapists discuss cases or bring identifying material outside of the office. Because we work together with the kupot cholim, identifying information does need to be shared with them in much the same as it would when going to see a doctor.
-
In what languages do you offer therapy?Our therapists speak English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Swiss-German. If you have a preference for therapy in a language other than English please note this in your discussion with our intake coordinator.
-
Does Kav L’noar work under Rabinnic supervision?Yes. We are committed to providing mental health services within a Halachik framework.
-
How long does therapy last?The length of therapy is determined by the specific needs of each client as well as the framework provided to us by the kupot cholim. Each kupah has different guidelines for the maximum length of therapy but typically the maximum length is on year.
-
Which Kupot Cholim do we work with?Leumit Meuchedet Klalit At this time, we do not accept Macabi insurance.
Zev Ganz, PhD
Clinical Director
Dr. Zev Ganz earned a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University and a doctoral degree from Smith College School for Social Work. He completed postgraduate training in Individual and Family therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim with a focus on working with young children and their families as well as the treatment of child sexual abuse. He is a certified practitioner of the attachment- based model Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and has lectured and published widely on the topic of attachment and families. Zev currently serves as Rosh Tzevet of the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh, is a clinical supervisor and instructor at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, a lecturer at Machon Shiluv, and maintains a private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.
Faigy Parchi
Intake Coordinator
Faigy (Goldstein) Parchi earned a master’s degree from Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service in NYC. Prior to Aliyah, she worked in outpatient mental health clinics and satellite school programs under psychodynamic supervision, and counseled adolescent females at-risk in drop in centers and homeless and runaway shelters. Post- Aliyah, Faigy joined The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim's postgraduate training program, and completed training in family systems theory with a focus on treating adolescents and their families. She currently works at Kav L'Noar as an individual and family therapist and as intake coordinator at both the Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh branches. Faigy also maintains a private practice in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh, combining her eclectic training to help her clients heal from trauma and improve their affect regulation and interpersonal relationships.
Avraham Aschkenasy, MA
Avrohom Mordechai Aschkenasy earned a B.A. with honors in psychology from the Open University of Israel and graduated magna cum laude with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya. Avrohom has worked as a psychologist at the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center and is currently a therapist at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh. In addition to his clinical work Avrohom learned in top yeshivot for many years, and successfully completed the Rabbanut exams. He is fluent in numerous languages including Hebrew, English, German, Swiss-German, and Yiddish.
Yoni Ausubel, PSY.D
Dr. Yoni Ausubel earned a master’s degree in education, and a doctoral degree in School-Clinical Child Psychology from Pace University. He completed postgraduate training at the League Center in Brooklyn, NY with a focus on working with developmentally challenged young children and their families. He is a warm, caring psychologist who was trained in psychodynamic theory and also works from a CBT/DBT orientation. Yoni has many years of experience working in the United States in various settings, and is currently a therapist at Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh after working as a staff psychologist at Machon Dvir in Jerusalem.. He also works via telemedicine to the US and maintains a private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Ayelet Katz, MSW
Ayelet Katz earned a master’s degree in social work from Long Island University, and completed a postgraduate program in Couples and Family therapy at Machon Shiluvim. She has worked as a therapist for individuals, couples and families at all stages of life. She also holds an MA in Jewish History and an MLIS in Library and Iibrary and information science.
Naomi Rosenholtz, MS, MSW
Naomi Rosenholtz earned a bachelor’s degree in special education, followed by double masters degrees in clinical social work and child development. Naomi has also completed post graduate training in child and adolescent psychotherapy. She has worked extensively in the States in a
psychiatric hospital, as well as community mental health centers. In those capacities, Naomi has worked with individuals, families, children and run a variety of therapy groups.
Rachel Tepperman MSW
Rachel Tepperman earned a masters degree in clinical social worker from Hebrew University, followed by postgraduate clinical training in family, marital and sex therapy at the Rotem institute for sexual health. In addition she is a certified mediator and group facilitator. Rachel has served as a volunteer on the crisis hotline for religious women and children in Jerusalem and has been teaching kalot for over a decade. Rachel worked in the field of special needs children and foster families before joining the Lamerchav / Kav L'noar team, where she provides therapy for individuals, couples and families alike. Rachel is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities and believes in tailoring the therapeutic approach to each client's needs.
Aliza Shapiro, MSW
Aliza Shapiro is a clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience providing therapy to individuals and families in a variety of settings. Aliza earned a master’s degree from the Silver School of Social Work of New York University. She began her career focusing on working with children and teens at risk. Aliza went on to develop an interest in health and wellness working in an outpatient oncology unit, a women’s health clinic, and as the clinical coordinator for Tishkofet/ Gisha L’chaim Bet Shemesh. While there, she developed and implemented programs designed to meet the needs of community members coping with illness and loss. She currently serves as a therapist at Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic, supervises masters’ level social work students, facilitates abuse prevention workshops for young adults, and maintains a private practice in Efrat and in Jerusalem, where she has been working with individuals and families since 2010. Aliza believes in a holistic approach to therapy and works with clients to maximize their own unique strengths.
Yona Dan, MSW
Yona Dan earned a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University, followed by postgraduate clinical training in individual and family therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. Yona also has expertise in the cognitive-behavioral approach of Byron Katie. In addition to being a part of the psychotherapy team at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Yona provides both short- and long-term therapy to individuals and couples in her private practice in Jerusalem.
Atara Block, LMSW
Atara Block is a social worker licensed in both NY State and Israel. She holds a BA in psychology from Touro College and an MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She has focused her clinical efforts on woman’s health and groupwork. In addition to her work as a staff therapist at Kav L'noar/Lamerchav mental health clinic, Atara is also a special projects coordinator and staff therapist at Nefesh Achat B’Yisrael helping women in crisis during pregnancy and after birth. She utilizes a CBT orientation with a focus on mind/body connection. She also works via telemedicine to the US.
Noah Cohen, MSW
Noah Cohen earned a BA in Psychology from Yeshiva University and a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work with a focus on clinical group work. He received postgraduate clinical training in individual and family therapy at the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. In addition to working with the psychotherapy team at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic, Noah works as a Social Worker for Melabev, working with spouses, siblings and children of individuals with cognitive impairments. In addition to his clinical work Noah also spent four years in Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel in Yerushalayim and has Semicha from Yeshiva University. He currently teaches in numerous schools in the Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh area.
Abi Wiesel, MSW
Abi Wiesel earned his Bachelors and Master’s degree from the University of Haifa. He completed postgraduate clinical training in family and couples therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim where he worked with individuals, couples, and families with an additional focus on adolescent development. Before joining the psychotherapy team at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic, Abi worked in the Israeli public sector for Meital where he treated the families of victims of sexual abuse. Abi also works in private practice in both Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh with families of both Israeli and Anglo background. He uses a blended approach of psychodynamic and family systems in his goal of helping individuals, couples, and families access improved quality of life.
Atara Block, LMSW
Atara Block is a social worker licensed in both NY State and Israel. She holds a BA in psychology from Touro College and an MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She has focused her clinical efforts on woman’s health and groupwork. In addition to her work as a staff therapist at Kav L'noar/Lamerchav mental health clinic, Atara is also a special projects coordinator and staff therapist at Nefesh Achat B’Yisrael helping women in crisis during pregnancy and after birth. She utilizes a CBT orientation with a focus on mind/body connection. She also works via telemedicine to the US.
Noah Cohen, MSW
Noah Cohen earned a BA in Psychology from Yeshiva University and a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work with a focus on clinical group work. He received postgraduate clinical training in individual and family therapy at the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. In addition to working with the psychotherapy team at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic, Noah works as a Social Worker for Melabev, working with spouses, siblings and children of individuals with cognitive impairments. In addition to his clinical work Noah also spent four years in Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel in Yerushalayim and has Semicha from Yeshiva University. He currently teaches in numerous schools in the Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh area.
Abi Wiesel, MSW
Abi Wiesel earned his Bachelors and Master’s degree from the University of Haifa. He completed postgraduate clinical training in family and couples therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim where he worked with individuals, couples, and families with an additional focus on adolescent development. Before joining the psychotherapy team at the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic, Abi worked in the Israeli public sector for Meital where he treated the families of victims of sexual abuse. Abi also works in private practice in both Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh with families of both Israeli and Anglo background. He uses a blended approach of psychodynamic and family systems in his goal of helping individuals, couples, and families access improved quality of life.