ABOUT Kesher Shalom Projects
Kesher Shalom Projects, founded by experienced trauma therapists in response to October 7th and the rise in antisemitism, initially aimed to equip therapists worldwide to support Jewish clients.
Our focus has since expanded to providing professional development and leadership in trauma and antisemitism. Our workshops foster open dialogues on the clinical implications of antisemitism. We aim to empower all professionals and communities, promoting healing and resilience.
We achieve this through online continuing education courses, agency training, and speaking engagements at synagogues, community centers, universities, and schools and providing support groups. Our comprehensive approach ensures our mission reaches diverse audiences, fostering a supportive environment for all.
This initiative began from an initial Zoom request in a WhatsApp chat for Jewish therapists struggling to grasp the heaviness of the aftermath of October 7th. None of the original presenters or attendees could have imagined what has grown since.
MEET THE TEAM
THE LEADERSHIP
Malka Shaw, LCSW,
Founder and Director of Kesher Shalom Projects
Malka Shaw, LCSW, is a licensed trauma therapist, public speaker, and educator with over 25 years in the mental health field. Licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, she specializes in trauma recovery and EMDR, maternal wellness, relationship issues, and support through significant life transitions.
Malka is the creator of two practical frameworks used in training and clinical education. The GUARD System supports resilience and coping during ongoing or active trauma, developed primarily in response to the psychological impact of antisemitism and adaptable to other prolonged stressors. She also developed the BRIDGE methodology, a structured approach for understanding and responding to indoctrination and radicalization, with an emphasis on psychological dynamics, communication, and safety.
Malka provides continuing education courses and professional development for clinicians, schools, healthcare systems, and workplaces on Jewish cultural competence, psychological safety, and the psychological mechanisms that fuel propaganda and radicalization, offering clear frameworks and practical skills for navigating ongoing stress and collective trauma.
Her professional foundation includes domestic violence work with NYANA and crisis response with the Red Cross and FEMA following 9/11.
Robyn Sheiniuk, LCSW
Robyn Sheiniuk, LCSW has been in practice for over 25 years. Her career has been focused on working with people dealing with trauma, from children and families in foster care and residential settings to Veterans to executives struggling with childhood trauma that is still getting in their way. In addition to trauma, Robyn specializes in working with grief and loss and women dealing with cancer, especially gynecological cancers, and caregivers/loved ones of those patients. Robyn has worked in urban inner cities as well as in private practice.
She also conducts evaluations for immigration and the Public Defender’s office. She has trained other clinicians as a supervisor and Clinical Director of several programs throughout her career. Her training includes a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California and a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from LAIPS. She has been trained in multiple trauma treatments, including TF-CBT, and is a Certified EMDR therapist. She is currently in private practice in CA and FL.
Lisa Mustard, LMFT
Lisa Mustard, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach, Host of The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard. Lisa has over 15 years in the field. She specializes in helping women, 35 plus, who desire more meaningful work, happier relationships, or optimal and vibrant health transform their lives.
Julie Riga, MBA
Julie Riga is a certified ICF coach, trainer, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience in the Pharma Industry. Julie’s education is vast with studies that include business, communications, training, and executive coaching.
She specializes in the fields of leadership, team dynamics, and organizational development. She has deep expertise working with matrix organizations in highly regulated industries.
Julie is valued for authentic connections with people and orchestrating diverse resources into coherent, high-functioning teams that consistently deliver breakthrough results on time and under budget. She is an enthusiastic lifelong learner and Novartis TEDx Speaker.
Other areas of expertise include executive development, strategy, and stakeholder management. Julie’s diversified leadership background provides deep experience and insights into building critical stakeholder relationships, team culture, and communication.
Jodi Taub, LCSW
Jodi is a psychotherapist with a private practice in New York. She has more than 27 years of direct care experience with children, adolescents, and adults.
She practices individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Her specialty area is chronic illness and rare disease. Jodi is also an expert lecturer, published writer, and active mental health contributor for the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
Additionally, she has volunteered with the National Association of Social Workers, Jewish Special Interest Group, supporting Jewish individuals and communities in combating antisemitism, providing support, promoting education, and assisting in coping strategies post-October 7th.