Shomer Collective presents: “Filling the Empty Chair: Honoring and remembering grandparents and loved ones who have died.”

Resource created for Professionals: A Jewish Guide for Professionals to Supporting Individuals Through Traumatic Death

Resource created for Individuals: A Jewish Guide to Supporting Individuals Through Traumatic Death

What can we possibly say to a person who is grieving a traumatic death? We know too many examples of such events in our own lives, from the shock of death by suicide, to the realities of death by natural disaster, to the horror of death by terrorism, and more. And yet, too often, we are stunned into our own silence, and moreso, into our own inaction, not knowing what to say or do in response to a traumatic death in our communities. 

Join The Blue Dove Foundation, and Shomer Collective, with the support of an UpStart collaboration grant, to learn about newly created resource guides to help bring language to the places where we too often say, “there are no words.” 

This professional training will include an overview of the resources and the sharing of individual and communal experiences, promoting the idea of talking about how to respond before we might be called on to do so following a traumatic death. 

Would you like to take some time on Father’s Day this year to consider your father—who he was and how his life unfolded? Father’s Day can elicit a mix of emotions, not all of them welcome amidst the customary celebrations which are focused on the living.

You are invited to join Jewish Studio Project for a virtual gathering of people who experience a measure of grief on this day. Using aspects of JSP’s unique methodology, we will draw on our inherent creativity in service of our memories, love, loss, longing and whatever else surfaces.

This hands-on session will include music, exploration of poetry, creating through art or writing and will conclude with Mourner’s Kaddish. We hope you will share this invitation with friends who might be interested in joining us.

*Materials: any paper and pen will be sufficient. Any additional materials that you have on hand are welcome*

Would you like to take some time on Mother’s Day this year to consider your mother—who she was and how her life unfolded? Mother’s Day can elicit a mix of emotions, not all of them welcome amidst the customary breakfast-in-bed, cards and flowers, which are gifted to the living.

You are invited to join Jewish Studio Project for a virtual gathering of people who experience a measure of grief on this day. Using aspects of JSP’s unique methodology, we will draw on our inherent creativity in service of our memories, love, loss and longing and whatever else surfaces.

This hands-on session will include music, exploration of poetry, creating through art or writing and will conclude with Mourner’s Kaddish. We hope you will share this invitation with friends who might be interested in joining us.

Materials: any paper and pen will be sufficient. Adding any additional materials that you have on hand are welcome.

In partnership with Jewish Studio Project

As we prepare for Passover, how might we celebrate while grieving the death of a loved one?

Join us for an interactive evening exploring: 

• How do we celebrate the Passover seder without our loved one(s)? 

• How can we celebrate freedom while honoring the memory of those who are no longer with us? 

• How can we enjoy our holiday while grieving? 

Together we will explore these and other topics related to dealing with loss during the Passover holiday. Through group discussion and rituals, we will provide a space to share and to explore tools for having a meaningful seder.

Led by Amber Keinan, LMSW and Rabbi Amy Bolton, BCC of LifeStorms.

Rabbi Amy Ruth Bolton, BCC

Amy is a rabbi and board certified chaplain with over two decades of experience working in chaplaincy, community outreach, and education. Throughout most of her career she has served as a hospice chaplain in home, assisted living, long-term care, residential hospice, and hospital settings, Her work has also included organizational development, addiction recovery, and adult and youth education. She received her Ordination and Master’s of Arts in Rabbinic Studies from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and the American Jewish University. Rabbi Bolton serves on the board of Plaza Jewish Community Chapel. She is the co-founder and Music Director of Bir’nana: the A Cappella group of Congregation Or Zarua. To learn more, visit https://amyruthbolton.wordpress.com/.

Amber Keinan, LMSW

Amber is a licensed social worker and bereavement counselor with extensive experience in end-of-life hospice care and the processing of loss and bereavement. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Yeshiva University with a certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University. Amber was raised in France and Switzerland, immigrating to Israel at the age of twenty. She speaks English, French and Hebrew. Amber currently sits on the board of Natal, one of Israel’s foremost trauma and resiliency centers. In addition, she is on the advisory board for the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Clinical Pastoral Education Program.

Kaddish: Grief at the winter solstice

At the darkest time of the year, on the day of the winter solstice,  join us to talk about mourner’s kaddish, the Jewish prayer traditionally recited in memory of the dead. We will explore the history and meaning of this ritual in an experiential group conversation designed to welcome you at any stage in your grief… recent, longstanding, complicated, or anticipated grief. 

Conversation facilitated by Rabbi Melanie Levav, Executive Director of Shomer Collective, licensed social worker and board-certified chaplain.