Company Profile: BaMidbar
Background
BaMidbar was established in 2016 to address the mental health and wellness needs of Jewish youth and young adults. The organization focuses on empowering individuals aged 13 to 28 to navigate life's challenges and thrive in the face of adversity. In 2021, BaMidbar achieved independent 501(c)(3) public charity status, enhancing its capacity to expand its programs and services.
Key Strategic Focus
BaMidbar's strategic approach encompasses three primary areas:
- Prevention: Offering wellness-focused programs, workshops, and retreats to help Jewish teens and young adults build personal resilience and deepen their understanding of mental health within a Jewish context.
- Education: Providing mental health education and professional development to Jewish communal professionals, enhancing their mental health literacy and facilitating social and emotional growth.
- Treatment: Delivering wilderness-based therapeutic journeys that promote self-discovery, hope, and healing for Jewish young adults facing mental health challenges.
Financials and Funding
In the fiscal year ending August 2024, BaMidbar reported total revenues of $1,842,493, with total expenses of $1,414,455. The organization has secured significant funding from various foundations, including:
- Rose Community Foundation: $210,000
- Arie and Ida Crown Memorial: $150,000
- Jim Joseph Foundation: $125,000
These funds support BaMidbar's programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health and wellness within the Jewish community.
Pipeline Development
BaMidbar's programmatic developments include:
- Teen Wellness Fellowship: Launched in 2021 in partnership with the Jewish Teen Initiative at Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, this fellowship focuses on mental health education for Jewish teens.
- Professional Development Programs: Collaborations with organizations such as the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Hillel International, and the Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Funder Collaborative have resulted in 116 mental health education programs reaching 2,749 Jewish communal professionals.
- Wilderness-Based Therapeutic Journeys: These programs offer immersive experiences in the Colorado Rockies, providing therapeutic support for Jewish young adults facing mental health challenges.
Technological Platform and Innovation
BaMidbar employs a range of digital tools to enhance its online presence and service delivery, including:
- WordPress Super Cache: For efficient website performance.
- Google Tag Manager: To manage and deploy marketing tags.
- DataDome: Ensuring website security against bots and DDoS attacks.
Leadership Team
As of September 1, 2025, BaMidbar's operations have concluded, and a trusted community partner will continue its programs. The leadership team during its operational period included:
- Whitney Fisch: Chief Executive Officer
- Brett Hausler: Chief Operating Officer
- James Bornstein: Chief Administrative Officer
- Emily Heeren: Chief Product Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer
Competitor Profile
BaMidbar's primary competitors include organizations that offer mental health services and educational programs within the Jewish community. Notable competitors are:
- Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN): Focuses on mental health and addiction awareness in the Jewish community.
- Jgateways: Partners with BaMidbar to develop mental health infrastructure for youth-serving organizations.
- Foundation for Jewish Camp: Collaborates with BaMidbar to offer mental health and wellness internships.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
BaMidbar has formed significant partnerships to enhance its impact, including:
- Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN): Collaborated to support mental health and addiction awareness.
- Jgateways: Partnered to develop mental health infrastructure for youth-serving organizations.
- Foundation for Jewish Camp: Worked together to launch mental health and wellness internships.
Operational Insights
BaMidbar's strategic considerations include:
- Market Position: As a pioneer in addressing mental health within the Jewish community, BaMidbar has established a strong presence.
- Competitive Advantages: Its unique combination of wilderness therapy and Jewish educational frameworks differentiates BaMidbar from competitors.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
With its mission and programs transitioning to a new organizational home, BaMidbar's strategic roadmap focuses on:
- Program Continuity: Ensuring the seamless continuation of its mental health and educational programs.
- Expansion: Leveraging partnerships to broaden the reach and impact of its initiatives.
- Innovation: Integrating new methodologies and technologies to enhance program effectiveness.
