own, he says.
Feldman first came to Feinberg
Consulting as a business consultant,
but that is not the whole story.
“There is another reason why I
work in this field,” he says. “I have
been in recovery for over 25 years,
completely sober from drugs and
alcohol. When I first went for treat-
ment, I felt like I was totally alone. No
one would understand where I stood.
A man got up to speak — he is black,
from the inner city, homeless. I had
nothing in common with him — I was
a Jewish kid from the suburbs with a
good home. When he began to speak,
in just a few minutes, I realized that
his story was mine, I had everything in
common with him. I learned then that
I was not alone, and that provided me
with hope.”
Now he provides that hope for
others professionally all the time.
Feinberg Consulting, in its coaching
role, connects people with a network
of other providers, including residen-
tial facilities like the one operated by
Rabbi Jose Gomez and another kind
of organization, Friendship House in
West Bloomfield, that provides a dif-
ferent kind of service.

County substance use disorder over-
sight policy board.
“I am not a therapist; I am a rabbi,”
he says. “I refer people to therapists.
I was taught from a young age: ‘You
have to know your job and do it well,
as well as you can.’ So, I do not try to
be a therapist; I try to refer people to
the most appropriate professional.”
Friendship House was established
in 1994 by Rabbi Levi and Bassi
Shemtov. Inspired by the Lubavitch
movement, Friendship House has a
strong Jewish component. Although
most people attending are Jewish,
Friendship House is open to everyone.
The organization offers different
groups each night, Sunday through
Thursday. Many nights, there are
Twelve Step meetings of all sorts,
including Alcoholics Anonymous,
Al-ANON and Narcotics Anonymous.
Twelve Step meetings take place in a
spiritual context, but it is disrespectful
at a Twelve Step meeting to speak of a
particular religion. These meetings are
non-denominational, open to anyone
in recovery.
“On Thursday nights, we run a
program that is explicitly not a tradi-
tional Twelve Step meeting,” he says.
“At this program, we connect the
CONNECTING WITH OTHERS
Twelve Step process with the Jewish
tradition. Some Jews feel wary of the
Family, friends and co-workers can
Twelve Step process; they
represent danger for recov-
are proud Jews, and they feel
ering addicts.
that the Twelve Step process
Avoiding these environ-
is somehow not in sync with
mental dangers can make the
their religion. Our Thursday
path forward look lonesome
night conversation is not a
and bleak for someone recov-
replacement for Twelve Step;
ering from addiction. Rabbi
we think of it as a supplement
Benny Greenwald, Friendship
to Twelve Step — a safe place
rabbi at the Daniel B. Sobel
Rabbi Benny
for Jewish people to connect
House, says, “If a recovering
their recovery with Jewish
addict can connect with peo- Greenwald
sources.”
ple in the recovery commu-
Greenwald has been touched by
nity, he or she will have a much better
chance to achieve long-term sobriety.” addiction. A close family member
suffered from addiction and has
When people struggle with isola-
recovered.
tion, addiction or other life crises,
“From a very young age, I knew I
Friendship House provides “a Jewish
wanted to help people suffering from
recovery community offering friend-
such life crises,” he says. “I can’t tell
ship, support and a variety of pro-
you any stories about specific people.
grams that facilitate lasting success.”
That would break confidentiality. I
People come to Friendship House
can tell you that when you see people
for sober barbeques, Shabbat dinners
who change their own lives, with the
and holiday programs. Friendship
help of God, it is like a miracle before
House is a safe place to enjoy the
your eyes. People take ownership of
celebrations. People in recovery often
their lives, pull themselves together,
have to learn how to be joyous, happy
and free without the chemical help.
become productive members of a
“Life should not just be boring,”
community. It is the most awe-inspir-
Greenwald says. “People come to
ing thing to see.” •
realize they can love life being sober,
To contact Friendship House, call (248)
that it is possible to have an exciting
788-8888 or email benny@friendshipcircle.
healthy life.”
org. To reach Feinberg Consulting, call (877)
Greenwald provides spiritual coun-
538-5425 or go to feinbergconsulting.com.
seling and referrals for professional
To reach Rabbi Jose Gomez, call (248) 706-
help. He is trained as an intervention-
5041 or go to biomedbehavioralhealthcare.
ist and is a member of the Oakland
org.

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November 30 • 2017

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