“In codependence, the emphasis is on
everyone and everything but ourselves....In recovery, we learn
how to say no, to set boundaries in relationships, and then
perhaps walk away—if necessary—sometimes for a long
time, perhaps forever. It's not without effort....Even if
a relationship is worth saving, your active codependence can
destroy it. It will not help it or you and will certainly
not convince the other person in your life to stop
drinking or using or gambling or eating compulsively or running
around. But your recovery can nurture a relationship with
God while it nurtures you at the same time.”
—From Recovery
from Codependence
This book is not just for Jewish people.
It's for all people who would gain strength to heal and insight
from the Bible and the wisdom of Jewish tradition.
With the same groundbreaking insight of
his Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery:
A Personal Guide to Turning From Alcoholism and Other
Addictions and Renewed Each Day: Daily Twelve Step Recovery
Meditations Based on the Bible, Kerry
Olitzky has produced an inspiring new volume that brings
healing wisdom to those whose lives are most directly affected
by the addiction of a loved one.
Recovery From Codependence: A Jewish
Twelve Steps Guide to Healing Your Soul explains how the Twelve Steps of Co-Dependents
Anonymous are relevant for Jewish people and all people who
would gain strength to heal and insight from Jewish tradition.
You may be a codependent person if you are
in a relationship with an alcoholic or addicted person, someone
who has an eating disorder, engages in compulsive gambling or
sex, if you are addicted to a relationship, or if you are part
of a dysfunctional family. Though you may be suffering, broken
in spirit, this book can help you be healed, be empowered to
take hold of your life, and be made to feel spiritually whole
once again. Using the familiar Twelve Step model, Dr.
Olitzky, known for his spiritual leadership and for reaching
out to help people in recovery, takes the codependent person on
a Jewish journey through the Twelve Steps.
Rabbi Olitzky's inspiring message draws on
the experience of Jewish tradition and the personal experiences
of recovering codependent people. He provides Twelve Step
support for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“The disease of chemical dependency
is also a family illness. Rabbi Olitzky offers spiritual
hope and support for those who seek solace and practical
help.”
—Jerry
Spicer, President, Hazelden
“Illuminates the Twelve Steps with
spiritual wisdom from the religious system that gave birth to
all the major religions of western civilization, and enriches
the experience of all of us, Jew and non-Jew together, who
include some aspect of the Twelve Step system in our personal
programs of recovery and spiritual growth.”
—Aviel
Goodman, MD, Director, Minnesota
Institute of Psychiatry
“Straight talk with Jewish lingo. What emerges is the unexpected richness of tradition.”
—Hadassah
“Another major step forward in
finding the sources and resources of healing, both physical and
spiritual, in our tradition. Together we continue our
journey towards wholeness, shalom.”
—Rabbi
Sheldon Zimmerman, Temple Emanu-El,
Dallas, TX
“It provides the wisdom of the past
for the maladies of today's sad souls.”
—Dr.
Michael A. Signer, Department
of Theology, University of Notre Dame
“A timely and praiseworthy blending
of the recovery process with the Jewish tradition! A
necessary validation for Jews engaging in Twelve-Step recovery
programs!”
—Rabbi
Alan Silverstein, Vice-President,
Rabbinical Assembly
“In addressing codependence, [this
book] lets Jewish wisdom clarify issues that are familiar to
many raised in troubled families, confused by an ethic of
mutual dependency and baffled by unfulfilled longings for
intimacy and authenticity.”
—Robert
Goldman, A.C.S.W. Codependency
Treatment Center of NY
“For many years, Jewish alcoholics,
addicts and family members in recovery have been seeking the
compassion, understanding and 'Jewish relatedness'offered by
the Twelve Step focused approach of Rabbi Kerry
Olitzky....[His] most recent contribution to the recovery field
offers us a unique and rich source, providing insight,
compassion, and direction towards spiritual development.”
—Robert
W. Deutsch, PhD, C.A.S., Clinical
Psychologist,
Private Intervention For Public People, Inc.
Private Intervention For Public People, Inc.
About the Contributors
Marc Galanter, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the
Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, New York University
Medical Center, New York. He is the author of Network Therapy for Alcohol and Drug Abuse: A
New Approach in Practice (Basic
Books, 1993).
Harriet Rossetto, LCSW, is Director of the Jewish Committee for
Personal Service and founder of Gateways Beit T'Shuvah in Los
Angeles. Beit T'Shuvah is a halfway house for Jewish
addicts and offenders that is based on Twelve Step programs and
the spiritual principles of Judaism.
