Jewish Federations Expand BeWell Nationally—Strengthening Mental Health Support for Jewish Atlanta

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) are proud to announce a major expansion of BeWell, Federations’ national initiative dedicated to supporting mental health and well-being across Jewish communities. As part of this expansion, BaMidbar and The Blue Dove Foundation—two trailblazing organizations that have shaped Jewish mental health education, awareness, and resilience in Atlanta and beyond—will now become part of the BeWell ecosystem. 

This milestone represents one of the most comprehensive investments Jewish Federations have ever made in Jewish mental health. And for Jewish Atlanta, it means something deeply personal: expanded tools, deeper expertise, and a stronger safety net—ensuring that no one in our community has to face mental health challenges alone. 

In Atlanta, BeWellATL has already made a powerful difference. One local teen trained through BeWellATL’s Smart, Affirming Choices program packed Narcan when he left for college—and later used it to save a fellow student’s life. Another teen, trained in Teen Mental Health First Aid, recognized warning signs in a close friend and helped connect them to support. 

These stories reflect the heart of BeWell’s mission: prevention, early intervention, and empowering Jewish youth and adults to care for one another. 

“BeWellATL is truly a community collaboration,” said Annie Garrett, Vice President of Planning at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. “Federation convenes, helps fund, and amplifies this work, JF&CS provides the clinical expertise and direct services, and together with our partners, we’re building a network of support that helps prevent crises and respond when they happen.” 

BeWellATL was launched through a landmark $500,000 matching grant from the Zalik Foundation, secured through the Atlanta Jewish Funder Collaborative—led by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation—bringing funders together to invest strategically in mental health and well-being across Jewish Atlanta. 

Nationally, BeWell is the only platform uniting Jewish education and engagement professionals with clinicians to address youth mental health through prevention and early intervention. To date, BeWell has trained more than 10,000 Jewish professionals and 1,000 teens, and has directed $1.5 million toward Jewish mental health initiatives. 

With the integration of BaMidbar and The Blue Dove Foundation, BeWell’s reach and impact will grow even further. 

BaMidbar, originally launched as the first Jewish organization focused exclusively on the mental health and resilience of Jewish teens and young adults, brings years of experience in experiential education, clinical support, and professional training. Its work helps young people navigate anxiety, depression, identity challenges, and trauma—especially in the wake of the pandemic and rising antisemitism. 

The Blue Dove Foundation contributes a powerful approach to education and stigma reduction, connecting mental wellness to Jewish values, tradition, and ritual. Through workshops, holiday-based resources, Mental Health Shabbat, and the #QuietingTheSilence campaign, Blue Dove has reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and helped normalize mental health conversations across Jewish life. 

Together, these organizations strengthen BeWell’s ability to deliver culturally resonant, evidence-based mental health support to communities like Atlanta—where BeWellATL focuses on youth and young adults ages 10–26, while also equipping parents, educators, rabbis, and camp counselors with practical tools and training. 

“Mental health touches everybody,” said Anat Granath, Director of Strategic Initiatives for BeWellATL. “We’re talking to students, parents, teachers, rabbis, and counselors—any adult in a child’s life—so the entire community feels comfortable asking questions and knowing support is available.” 

This work aligns directly with Federation’s core impact areas—from caring for those in need and strengthening Jewish education, to keeping our community safe and resilient in the face of trauma and antisemitism. 

The expansion of BeWell marks a transformational moment for Jewish communities nationwide. In Atlanta, it reinforces a promise our Federation is proud to make: we will show up, we will invest, and we will care—for every generation. 

Because when it comes to mental health, no one should face struggles alone. 

To learn more about BeWellATL or access resources, visit bewellatl.org.