Nera-LI is a sobriety resource organization devoted to serving the Jewish recovery commuity on Long Island. Sponsored by Congregation Tifereth Israel of Glen Cove, created in response to the Opioid Epidemic’s impact on Jewish Long Islanders, provides structured outreach programs.

Nera-LI shines the light of spirituality on the tragic, gritty reality of substance abuse. Welcoming family members challenged by addiction, directly or indirectly, our hope is to ‘break the stigma and start the conversation’. Our philosophy emphasizes the spiritual element in managing the ‘unmanagable’ by offering insight and reflection in a safe sanctuary.

CTI is rooted in a rich history of social conscience, addressing societal issues without prejudice. In a recent Pew Research Center Survey, among five million American Jews, most regard ‘working for justice and equality’ as a pillar of their Jewish identity. In 2016 with record drug overdoses on Long Island and increased calls from congregants with substance abuse concerns, addiction got our attention. We continue our commitment to the critically underserved Jewish recovery community by maintaining rigorous involvement with local and national prevention organizations.
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OUR TEAM

The founding members of NERA.

Jane Fox

Founder/Director of Outreach

Jane Fox has the depth of experience from living on both sides of the sobriety fence. As a young woman, she struggled with addiction and fought hard to achieve recovery and a career in advertising. Jane later became a principal in a NYC rehab and a drug-free workplace consultant, as she was able to see the issue in sharp focus. As a mother in long-term sobriety, she founded a ‘SoberMoms’ outreach program that provided literature and support groups to jails, rehabs and the local community. After her children graduated college she relocated to Boca Raton, FL where she managed women’s’ halfway houses and became an active member of the Jewish Recovery Center. Upon returning to NY in 2015, Jane co-founded NERALI alongside Rabbi Huberman of Congregation Tifereth Israel and maintains rigorous involvement with local and national prevention organizations.

Teddie Yohay McGinley

Founder/Director of Marketing and Communication

Teddie Yohay McGinley grew up in Sea Cliff during an idyllic time where friends thrived and matured into productive young adults.  Witnessing LI’s Opioid epidemic take the lives of her childhood peers is what prompted her to action. She is in her mid-thirties and has been to more funerals than weddings – she had to do something. Teddie uses her marketing expertise, with an emphasis on prevention and hope, to help drive the NERALI message into the community. 

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Founder/ Spiritual Director

Rabbi Irwin Huberman has served Congregation Tifereth Israel since 2006. After a successful career as a journalist and political adviser in Canada, he changed careers entering rabbinical school in 2004. Believing "The Torah begins with kindness and ends with kindness", is at the heart of his compassionate and pluralistic approach to Judaism. A writer and musician as well, he’s led CTI to embrace a wide range of traditions, backgrounds and orientations as “every person and family has a unique story to tell and Judaism can only become stronger when we share our journeys". When the Opioid Epidemic hit Long Island, calls for solace and advice for family members soared, he realized its impact on the Jewish community. His compassion to provide informed answers led him to the Jewish Recovery Center in Boca Raton FL and an inspired commitment to NERALI.

ABOUT NERA

Welcoming those with family and friends challenged by recovery into neighborhood congregations provides true community. NERALI recognizes the Opioid Epidemic’s impact on Jewish Long Islanders, supporting them with a vibrant network of temples, Jewish Community Centers and a growing list of resources. Our Concerned Persons Group empowers family members of loved ones wrestling with substance abuse, a safe sanctuary to share. Recovery resiliency is vital to cope with the stress of championing a loved one’s recovery while remaining hopeful and informed during the recovery process.

Humanitarian missions have always addressed societal issues without prejudice. NERALI introduces a structured strategy to break the stigma and start the conversation within the sanctuary of Jewish roots. It’s time for the spiritual light of fellowship to shine on this tragic, gritty reality and bring it from the basement into the Kiddush Room. NERALI strives to grow symbiotic partnerships with alliances, resources and local community groups to make a true difference.

CONTACT US

Want to get involved or have general questions? Please contact us at jane.fox@nerali.org