Jewish Approaches to Life’s Challenging Times
A three-part series exploring how Jewish tradition and community can support us through times of illness, healing, and loss.
Wednesday, February 8th: Jewish Stories of Illness and Healing
Taught by Student Rabbi Solomon Hoffman. We’ll look at narratives from Jewish tradition that explore individual and communal experiences of illness and healing. These texts provide the foundation for the mitzvah of Bikur Holim (visiting the sick), and we will learn about how Jewish tradition approaches this sacred act. We will reflect on our own experiences through the lens of these texts and traditions, and consider how they might inspire us toward fulfilling the mitzvah of Bikur Holim. The Loving Kindness Circle will provide dessert/coffee to add some sweetness to this difficult topic. Feel free to bring a dessert to share!
Wednesday, February 22nd: Jewish Approaches to End of Life
Taught by Student Rabbi Solomon Hoffman. We will begin with stories from the Jewish tradition about the dying process and death, exploring how these ancient texts have continued resonance. Alongside these, Solomon will share about his experience working as a chaplain with a hospital palliative care team. We will consider how Judaism might inform our approach to the current medical landscape, including advanced care planning and hospice.
Thursday, March 30th: Jewish Ritual After Death
Taught by members of the Kehillah Chevra Kadisha. Members of the Kehillah community will share their experiences of offering Tahara (the ritual washing of the body), serving as a Shomrim (watching over the body before burial), and other aspects of supporting the deceased and their families after a death. This will be an opportunity for those who might be interested in supporting our community through these sacred acts to learn more about how to get involved.