Why Rabbi Avrohom Blesofsky Chose the Social Work Track

Rabbi Avrohom Blesofsky shares his journey to becoming a Social Worker.

What drew you to the field of social work and to the degree program through Sara Schenirer?

I’ve always considered myself an empath and have dedicated myself to understanding the human experience. As a Chabad Rabbi for more than 20 years, I engage with people daily and strive to do my job at an even higher level. Earning a master’s degree was a way to obtain additional tools and methods to better service my community.

I considered enrolling in a MSW program for a while and researched various programs, but many curriculums seemed to emphasize political issues over individual lived experiences. When I discovered Sara Schenirer’s degree program, I realized that it was a high-level program of study that focused on clinical and therapeutic practices. In addition, the courses were entirely online during weeknights, which gave me the flexibility to complete the program while continuing my work at Chabad.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

I enjoy academic pursuits, so I was mentally prepared for the rigor and hard work. I also understood that the courses would be challenging since this was a new academic environment that would utilize a different approach to learning, and there would be a learning curve. I remember the first time I wrote a proper essay for a class and was very proud of my work, but I neglected to address two of the four points the professor asked me to cover. I had only focused on the ideas that I felt I had something original and insightful to develop. My professor told me the essay was well written, but gave me a “B” because I failed to follow his instructions. It was a learning experience that made me understand that attention to detail in assignments is key to succeeding in the program.

I also discovered that the material we studied is completely research-based and therefore sourcing work is essential. I found this challenging at first. Fortunately, I was in a cohort of students with similar backgrounds to mine, so we learned those skills together. Overall it was a very rich experience because of the seriousness of our approach to text and study and our shared goal of gaining a proper education.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? Most challenging?

It was incredible to learn from such extraordinary professors who are all practicing social workers with years of experience. I also appreciated that the program is unique in that it focuses on the clinical aspect of social work and teaches students practical skills to become effective therapists. To illustrate, I took a course on trauma and shortly afterward attended a local event featuring a speaker discussing personal trauma. During the evening, I met a group of recently graduated social workers from a different university and was eager to hear their thoughts on the presentation, but to my surprise they said they had never even studied trauma. It made me realize just how thorough the Sara Schenirer program is and how well it prepared me to work in the field.

My major challenge was that I had to repeat a class due to a misunderstanding with a professor. Luckily, I had the support of the Sara Schenirer team in clearing up the issue and was able to re-enroll and get back on track. I was fortunate to have the brilliant Dr. Akiva Perlman teach the repeated class, so the hiccup had a silver lining.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

The faculty and staff were very supportive and always had my best interests in mind. When I reached out to professors, they were always responsive. In addition, my cohort was collaborative and friendly. I still stay in touch with many of the students and it was nice to share the experience with such bright and insightful peers. I almost wish I had taken greater advantage of the opportunities for help, particularly with developing my writing skills. Sara Schenirer has a robust network to assist every student, so no one ever feels they are on their own and I should have utilized it more than I did at the time.

What were your original goals going into the program and what did you ultimately do upon obtaining your degree? How do you balance all your responsibilities?

I wanted to continue serving my Chabad community and be even more successful at developing relationships and understanding people’s experiences. My education has supplemented my work in this area, but I quickly realized I could not counsel people as both their rabbi and therapist and I needed to separate the roles. Once that became clear, I began interning at an agency in Monsey, NY, working with children and teens in a primarily Yiddish-speaking community. Through my internship, I developed a specialized interest in child development and recently opened a private practice for child play therapy in Lakewood.

Although I work long days, I love every minute of it especially because most of the time it doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy what I do both as a rabbi and a social worker, counseling people on a multitude of matters, including religious, social, and emotional issues. I practice as a therapist mainly in the evenings and I limit my hours to ensure that I can be effective in all areas.

In addition to academics, what have you learned through your Sara Schenirer experience that has enhanced your work as a Rabbi and a social worker?

Besides interpersonal skills, one of the best things that came from my schooling is how much I refined my writing skills which have helped dramatically improve my weekly sermons. My speeches are better structured and my messages are conveyed more clearly. 

I also learned the value of continuing education even after going into practice. Our professors strongly emphasized the importance of always being on a path to increased learning and growth. This includes obtaining excellent supervision and getting therapy ourselves to manage any issues and understand how the therapeutic process works.

In addition to your position, what are some other ways to use your degree?

My focus is primarily on clinical practice, but there are additional career opportunities for those with a social work degree. Some people find positions in human resources, while others work in schools as educators. The degree gives you credibility and can be used in virtually any setting in which you’re interacting with people and this includes hospitals, nursing homes, and camps.

Is this a field you would recommend?

It depends on the individual and his skill set. There needs to be a passion and interest in helping people. It’s also important to have humility to be effective in this field. We work with many different personalities and it’s essential to have an open mind to build trust and acknowledge that we won’t always have the answers.

What is the job market like? Are jobs easy to obtain, flexible, and growth-oriented?

There’s a shortage of therapists in both the frum and secular worlds, so depending on one’s comfort level there’s a great deal of opportunity for employment and growth in the field. Most new social workers can find a job at a clinic and take on as many clients and hours as they can manage. Once they accumulate enough supervised hours, they can take a licensing exam to obtain a license to practice privately. At that point, they will most likely have the flexibility required to set their own rates and hours.

How do you define success in this industry?

Success can be defined in different ways. Many social workers are driven by idealism and may not always charge their worth. Once you establish your reputation, you can set your rates at a point where you can make a nice living while also helping people. The more committed you are, the more future opportunities will open up.