written by Joel Katz, IRAC

This year, YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work (WSSW) is celebrating fifty years of educating students. Since its inception, Wurzweiler graduates have been making impressive contributions to improve the lives of vulnerable populations and strengthening communities throughout the world. Wurzweiler is the only graduate social work education program in the US under Jewish auspices in a university setting. The program has a unique nature which stems from an historic emphasis on values and ethics, respect for ethnicity, and recognition of the importance of religious beliefs and spirituality. Over 6000 students have received Master’s degrees from Wurzweiler since 1957, and over 150 doctorates have been awarded. An important aspect of WSSW is that students have the opportunity to perform hands-on field work with organizations that are carefully screened and chosen for their excellence in the social work arena.

On December 26th WSSW Israel alumni gathered at the Jesselson home to mark together fifty years of the program. Alumni Caryn Green (’97), Gila Broner (’97), Amir Gilboa (’06) and Dahlia Krindler (’94), were featured speakers at this reunion of Israeli alumni.

The work of alumna Caryn Green (’97) in Israel serves as one example of the contribution that many WSSW alumni make to Israeli society. “It was a very good experience,” remarks Caryn about the Block Program of WSSW, “I still have friends from the program and they’re doing amazing things.”

Caryn came to Israel while studying at WSSW as part of the Block Program which places students in organizations in Israel as part of their required field work. During her year in Israel, Caryn worked at the Summit Institute, located in Jerusalem. The Summit Institute, a network of psychiatric rehabilitation services, uses the “Therapeutic Community” system. The work Caryn did at Summit greatly influenced her decision to make aliyah and eventually establish Crossroads, a Jerusalem based Center for English- speaking youth at risk.

Caryn founded Crossroads in 2000. It is the only intervention program facilitating the integration of English-speaking teenagers into Israeli society. The Crossroads Center serves an average of 700 youth per month. Its Jerusalem location, directly across from Zion Square, is a safe-haven for teens at risk offering an alternative to being on the streets, and social activities other than hanging out in bars. Additionally, the Crossroads Center offers services in three arenas: social activities, counseling and therapy as well as educational opportunities.

Caryn not only serves as director of Crossroads, but is also the clinical supervisor, has her own case load of clients, fundraises, and is in charge of administration. She and her co-workers engage in active outreach, visiting neighborhoods and schools by day, and streets and bars by night.

“The work experience that I received at the Summit Institute has played a significant part in making my aliyah successful. The fact that WSSW enabled me to work within an Israeli agency helped me to find a job within three months of my arriving in Israel. Wurzweiler started me along the way,” comments Caryn Green. “Without my experience at the Summit Institute and the education that I received at Wurzweiler, Crossroads would not be what it is today, if it even existed at all!”