The Principles of Our Name: Khesed Wellness
What is Khesed?
Khesed is more than just a word; it's an action, a way of being, and a profound guiding principle. At its core, Khesed means "loving kindness, especially for those on the margins." But to truly grasp the essence of Khesed, one must understand that it transcends simple definitions and enters the realm of embodiment—a living, breathing practice that permeates every aspect of our lives.
Khesed As An Action
Khesed is not merely a concept to be understood intellectually. It demands action, urging us to engage with the world around us in ways that reflect compassion, empathy, and justice. To act with Khesed, we need motivation, a reason to move forward, and the means to make it happen. This active engagement breaks down the artificial boundaries between work and life, reflecting the wholeness of who we are as individuals.
The Magic of Khesed
There's a touch of magic in Khesed, a transformation that occurs when we move from understanding to becoming. To know khesed is to be khesed—to embody loving kindness in such a way that it becomes second nature. This transformation doesn’t happen in the mind alone; it unites our cognition with our heart and gut, allowing us to live out khesed in our daily lives.
The DNA of Khesed
The essence of Khesed is woven into the very DNA of our organization. It’s present in our ethic, mission, vision, and values, and in the relationship between them. Our ethic is the heartbeat of Khesed—the why behind everything we do. It centers us, reminding us of our purpose and guiding us in every decision.
Our Ethic: The Heartbeat of Khesed
Khesed, the ancient Hebrew word for loving kindness, especially towards those on the margins, is our ethic. It’s our guiding principle, the lens through which we view the world and our work.
When we center the margins, the collective can thrive. This is belief that drives us, the reason behind our name, our actions, and the core of our organizational identity.
When Khesed was founded, we took great care to ensure that our name truly reflected our values and mission. We engaged in due diligence with the Jewish community, seeking their wisdom and blessing. Though Khesed is not a Jewish or religious organization, we are deeply inspired by the ancient Jewish ethic of khesed. With the support of Jewish community leaders, we proudly carry this name, committed to living out its principles in all that we do.
In essence, Khesed is not just what we do—it’s who we are. It’s the love we extend to those on the margins, the kindness we embody in our daily actions, and the ethic that drives our organizational mission to provide free and affordable outpatient mental health therapy.
To understand Khesed is to live out loving kindness in every aspect of our lives.
