Who is Rabbi Sober?

Who is Rabbi Mendel Cohen and why is he known as Rabbi Sober?

In Los Angeles, everyone with a problem keeping sober, and a strong desire to be on the road to recovery, thinks of Rabbi Mendel Cohen for his wise help and success with the help of Hashem.

Rabbi Cohen's name is so well known that people who are in crisis of drug addiction or alcoholism, that need the Rabbi Sober, no matter their age or background, know they are always welcome.

It is this strong attitude of unconditional friendship, selfless help for those in need and a warm heart that makes Rabbi Mendel Cohen the first choice people run to in Los Angeles with their addiction problems and their desire for recovery and staying sober.

Its not just California, that knows of Rabbi Sober.

People all over the country make their way to Rabbi Mendel Cohen seeking his help. As with all Chabad Rabbi's who help in the area of recovery, Rabbi Mendel Cohen has studied the 12 steps and the Big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and he has taken various training and courses on addiction and recovery.

Rabbi Mendel Cohen, is also the director of the Friedman Chabad Center in Los Angeles; he also serves as Rabbi to the only Kosher rehabilitation center in the world - the Chabad Residential Treatment Center.

He has traveled to over 35 countries, from conducting the world's largest Seder in Kathmandu to Shabbat dinners in Jamaica. He was ordained as Rabbi in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2006 he opened the Friedman Center, where he offers counseling; weekly classes and festival celebrations for Jews in recovery across southern California and beyond.

What is so special about the Chabad Residential Treatment Center in Los Angeles?

The Chabad Residential Treatment Center, is the only Kosher rehabilitation center in the world. Its key kosher ingredient is the Rabbi Sober.

A safe kosher haven for Jewish men who are recovering addicts from all walks of life, and need the special attention that only can be received, from the one of a kind Chabad Residential Treatment Center.


Thursday, April 29, 2010

rabbi sober icons




Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Big Book and Judaism

Big Book and Judaism

12 steps in judaism

Twelve Steps and Judaism

Who are the recovery rabbi's?

Rabbi Yakov Bankhalter

Rabbi Benyamin Bresinger

Rabbi Mendel Cohen

Rabbi Meir Kessler

Rabbi Yosef Lipsker

Rabbi Yisrael Pinson

Rabbi Shais Taub

How to beat Addiction

What does the Torah teach about drug addiction and breaking free from it?



Question:

What does the Torah teach about drug addiction and breaking free from it? For instance: Why does man beg G‑d for help and still remain in addiction. It is as if religions are powerless to defeat the monster of addiction. Can you give me some insight?

Answer:

In truth, all of us are addicts—to our habits, to our emotions, to our limited perception of reality. The first step of progress out of our little boxes is to acknowledge, recognize, and surrender to a truth higher than our own. So you are right: No religion, no outside force, can defeat a man's addiction—as long as that man refuses to allow in a glimmer of light from outside his dark, cramped prison; as long as he cannot acknowledge that his own addicted mind cannot untie knots in which it has tied him; as long as he cannot hang on tight to a rope thrown to him from beyond.

This is why a Jew says the "Modeh Ani" as soon as he opens his eyes each morning, to say, "Although I feel myself to be the center of this world, I acknowledge Your presence as the Author of this world. You are bigger than me." With those words, we punch a hole in an otherwise sealed existential prison. We open ourselves to freedom.

The very concept of Torah implies that we all have free choice to direct our lives. We are never helpless. G‑d never gives us more than we can handle. But it's always with the condition that we recognize how small we are—and so we don't try to go it alone.

An addict, too, has free choice. He has the choice to continue going it alone—something akin to trying to dig himself out of a pit or pulling himself up by his own hairs—or to call out to someone above the pit who can throw him a rope.

The mind that has sunk itself in a mess is lost to that mess. Only someone who is not bound and tied can untie the bonds of another and offer him a hand to pull him out. Paradoxically, it is that first move of surrender that allows the addict to win over his addiction.

Perhaps if you can tell me more about your experience with addiction, I may be able to target in on your concerns.

In the meantime, let me know if this helps.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman for Chabad.org

What is a Jewish Recovery?

A Jewish Recovery Community has three tenets:

  • Relapse prevention for the recovering addict - studies show that addict recover best in their own cultural environment.
  • Gateway to recovery for the using addict - the very existence of a vibrant Jewish Recovery Community helps addicts and their family overcome the initial fear and stigma that comes with admitting that we have an addiction problem.
  • The Spiritual component - Spiritual Recovery contribute and enhances Spiritual Judaism, and vice versa.

Chabad Rabbis across the United States and Canada have recently started local Jewish Recovery Communities. Led by a Recovery Rabbi, who teaches, inspires and listens, members enjoy each others company and share their Experience, Strength and Hope in a Jewish environment. Many communities have full fledge services that include residential programs, a clubhouse and more, some just meet weekly, and continue to grow as a vibrant Jewish Recovery Community.