Zvi Bellin, PhD
Email: zjbellin@loyola.edu
Phone: 917 533 4559
ACADEMIC EDUCATION
♦Loyola University, Maryland
CACREP approved Counselor Education, PhD December 2009
♦St. Elizabeths, Washington, D.C.
Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education August 2007
♦Steinhardt School of Education, New York University
M.A. in Counseling and Guidance May 2004
♦Refuah Institute, Jerusalem, Israel
Counseling Skills Development Course June 2002
♦Binghamton University, State University of New York
Bachelors of Arts, Psychology May 2001
RELEVANT SKILLS
Teaching and Lecturing
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Adult Education
Personal Counseling
Group Facilitation
Community Organization
Crisis Intervention
Family Counseling
Organizational Outreach
Customer Service
Organizational Consulting
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Washington, D.C. Licensed Professional Counselor
Maryland Licensed Professional Counselor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Registered Yoga Teacher – 200 Hour Yoga Alliance
PUBLICATIONS
Bellin, Z.J. (in print). The Quest to Capture Personal Meaning in Psychology. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Bellin, Z.J. (submitted for consideration). Meaning through Being: Reclaiming the Wholeness of Personal Meaning. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development.
Bellin, Z.J. (2011). The power of presence. In E. Barany, The Torah Codes. Oakland: Dafka Books.
Bellin, Z.J. (2010). Exploring Attitudes towards Death and Life through Story and Metaphor. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, 3(2), 62-72.
Bellin, Z.J. (2010). Judaism as a spiritual practice. The Jewish Educator. Online Journal: http://thejewisheducator.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/judaism-as-a-spiritual-path/
Bellin, Z.J. (2009). Searching for meaning: An encounter with the sacred in our world. Zygon Center Student Symposium on Science and Spirituality. Online resource: http://www.zygoncenter.org/studentsymposium/pdfs/2009papers/2009symposium_Bellin.pdf
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS AND GRANT AWARDS
Exploring Meaning Through Being
(Workshop Presentation)
Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality October 2010
Appreciative Inquiry Mini-Summit
(Workshop Presentation)
Moishe Foundation East Region Retreat October 2010
A Holistic Content Approach to Personal Meaning
(Paper Presentation)
International Network for Personal Meaning Conference August 2010
The Jewish Perspective on Living with Depression
(Workshop Presentation)
New CAJE Conference for Jewish Education August 2010
A Holistic Content Approach to Personal Meaning
(Paper Presentation)
American Psychology Association, Div. 36, Midyear Conference March 2010
Searching for Meaning: An Encounter with the Sacred in Our World
(Paper Presentation)
Zygon Center Student Symposium on Science and Religion May 2009
Purpose in Life and Faith Maturity: Comparing Christian and Muslim Samples (Symposium)
American Psychology Association, Div. 36, Midyear Conference April 2009
Make A Difference Grant, First Prize Winner
(Dissertation Presentation)
American Counseling Association, C-AHEAD Division March 2009
Pastoral Counseling Skills for College Administrators
(Academic Workshop Presentation)
University of Princeton, Center for Jewish Life August 2008
Spiritual Transcendence in Meaning Making
(Paper Presentation)
International Network on Personal Meaning Conference July 2008
Queer Spirituality for College Students
(Academic Workshop Presentation)
Princeton University GLBT Student Center March 2008
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS/RETREATS
Co-Creating an Intentional Community
Congregation Netivot Shalom Community Retreat May 2011
Positive Growth through Trauma
Moishe House National Conference May 2011
The Art of Mindful Drinking: Preparing for Purim
London Moishe House, London, UK March 2011
Shabbat Community and Practice
Vienna Moishe House, Vienna, Austria March 2011
Community Growth through Shared Trauma
Budapest Moishe House, Budapest, Hungary March 2011
Spiritual Community Practice
Beit Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland March 2011
International Hillel Retreat with Taube Foundation
Nozyk Synagogue, Warsaw, Poland March 2011
Jewish Contemplative Day-Long Retreat
Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley, CA February 2011
Honoring your Parents, Honoring your Self (Workshop Presentation)
Eshel Annual Retreat, Falls Church, CT January 2011
Contemplative Shabbat Retreat Director (Comprehensive Retreat Experience)
Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, Reisterstown, MD December 2010
Embodied Judaism (4-Part Series)
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco November 2010
Mussar (Values) Month by Month (Experiential Workshop)
New CAJE Conference for Jewish Education August 2010
Nehirim East Retreat Director (Comprehensive Retreat Experience)
Nehirim: Jewish GLBT Culture and Spirituality June 2010
Contemplative Shabbat Retreat Director (Comprehensive Retreat Experience)
Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, Reisterstown, MD May 2010
Psycho-Spiritual Awareness and Personal Growth
Nehirim: Jewish GLBT Culture and Spirituality January 2010
Vigil for Victims of a GLBT Youth Center
University of Maryland, College Park September 2009
Exploring Personal Growth through Holistic Awareness (Workshop Presentation)
Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps, Washington DC September 2008
Washington DC Mussar Group (Workshop Series)
Washington, DC Jewish Community Center Sept. – Oct. 2008
The Meaning in Simply Being: The teachings of Shabbat and Nature (Workshop)
Nehirim: Jewish GLBT Culture and Spirituality May 2008
Shabbat Yoga (Workshop)
Nehirim: Jewish GLBT Culture and Spirituality, March 2008
Body Integrated Torah Study (Workshop)
Moishe House National Retreat March 2008
Exploring the Body Divine (Workshop)
National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Student Conference February 2008
RELATED EDUCATION AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
♦ Moishe Foundation
Director of Education June 2010 – Present
Oversee programmatic vision and evaluation of an international organization related to Jewish education, culture and spirituality. Consult with young adult peer network about creating quality programs for their local communities. Provide trainings and skill development to enable program participants to act as leaders in their communities.
♦ Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality May 2006 – Present
Engagement Associate and Retreat Director
Director of two annual retreats that focuses on deepening and expanding connections to oneself and to their community. Recruit and expand social network for a national Jewish LGBT organization that runs a variety of programs year round. Help in program development and facilitate workshops. Lead contact for university students. Act as Mentee Liaison for LGBT mentorship program.
♦ Isaiah House – Mental Health Day Program
Mental Health Therapist February 2009 – December 2010
Coordinated services for mental health consumers with chronic mental illness. Provided ongoing individual and group therapy sessions for consumers of the day program and also for outpatient clients. Facilitated specialized therapy groups for LGBT clients and for clients diagnosed with Major Depression.
♦ So Other Might Eat May 2008 – February 2009
Addictions Counselor and Mental Health Therapist
Assessed and treated homeless adults with drug and alcohol addictions. Treatment sessions were both individual and group. Reviewed and provided consultation on phases of treatment for different addiction treatment tracks. Created and coordinated Study Hall hour for clients and specialized group for LGBT clients.
♦Loyola College in Maryland September 2006– December 2008
Lecturer and Graduate Assistant
Filled the role of lecturer for the following Master’s level courses: Helping Relationships, Qualitative Research Methods, and Group Counseling. Provided assistance as needed to students. Assisted in evaluating student course work. Assisted in gathering and preparing course materials.
♦ Wendt Center for Loss and Healing September 2007 – May 2008
Grief Therapist Intern
Implemented weekly grief counseling services to adolescents and adults who have suffered a loss, focus on general grief and complicated grief due to trauma and multiple deaths. Supported families of deceased through the identification process at the Medical Examiner’s office.
♦ St. Elizabeths Hospital June – August 2007
Chaplain Intern
Facilitated psycho-spiritual care of mentally ill adult inpatients, organized ecumenical worship services, and led weekly clinical groups. Provided ongoing individual counseling to clients in general and forensic wards. Received one unit of CPE training.
♦ Victoria Transcultural Clinical Center September 2006 – March 2007
Home Base Counselor
Provide mental health services to high-risk child and adolescent clients and their families in their home and school environment.
♦ Howard County General Hospital March – May 2006
Pastoral Counseling Intern
Assess spiritual and psychological needs of hospital patients and provide short-term faith-based and secular counseling as needed.
♦ Volunteers of America November 2005
Spirituality Group Facilitator
Plan and implement weekly discussion groups for homeless clientele diagnosed with mental illness on topics of spirituality and coping with mental illness.
♦ Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Center Sept 2003 – June 2004
Psychology Intern
Responsible for intake assessment and ongoing therapy with college students and staff. Issues include, single – parenting, career development and counseling, spousal abuse, anger and stress management, and addictions. Facilitate workshops on various topics, including time management, procrastination, study skills, and academic achievement.
♦ Crown Heights Yeshivah September 2002 – June 2003
Principal’s Assistant
Responded to social and disciplinary needs of children in grades 1 through 8, corresponded with school social worker to bridge gap between academic and social performance, monitored classrooms for teacher evaluation, and assisted in running special programs and ceremonies.
♦ Haifa Women’s Crisis Center February – May 2000
Children’s Program Facilitator
Inspired innovative educational and extracurricular programs for Jewish and Arab children living in a shelter for battered women and conducted a psychology research project on the effects of music and dance on behavior.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
♦ DC Yoga Studios and Various Locations February 2008 – April 2009
Registered Yoga Teacher – 200 Hour Yoga Alliance
Plan and conduct holistic Yoga classes, integrating breath work with body stretching and toning. Classes focus on cultivating deeper self-awareness and promoting well-being in all areas of life.
♦ Silver Spring Moishe House January 2008 – December 2009
Cofounder and Coordinator
Plan with other residents a diverse monthly program schedule for the local Jewish Community, and maintain relationship with sponsoring foundation through the use of intranet, blogging, and online photo album.
♦ Bayit Chadash September 2004–September 2005
Community Outreach Coordinator and Board of Directors Liaison
Team co-leader in developing, organizing, implementing, and facilitating national workshops for an Israeli non-profit organization. Acted as communication bridge between the Israeli community and international Board of funders.
♦ Caravan of Dreams Fall 2002 – Summer 2004
Workshop Coordinator and Facilitator
Organized, promoted, and led tri-monthly interactive workshops focusing on building an open community for inter-faith expression and sharing.
♦ Brooklyn School for Special Children June – August 2002
Classroom Assistant
Aided teacher in classroom with various exercises to improve cognitive and fine-motor skills of children with delayed physical and mental development.
♦ United Synagogue Youth June – August 2001
Educator
Member of a teen tour staff in Israel, responsible for the education and care of the students on the trip.
♦ Urban League September – December 2000
Education Specialist Intern
Assisted in the supervision of at-risk fourth grade school children, focusing on homework skills and forming a trusting relationship with the students, prepared for special events and planned educational programs.
♦ Elat Chayyim, Accord, NY June – August 2000
Jewish Retreat Center Intern
Contributed to the creation of a nurturing environment for spiritual seeking and healing, responsible for facility set-up and guest relations, facilitated staff feedback meeting, conducted interpretive praying service for teens and adults.
