Kalsman Institute Partner Gathering III

The 2005 Partner Gathering was two days of learning, networking and sharing. Almost 100 Kalsman Partners gathered at The Brandeis-Bardin Institute. Thanks to those from the East Coast who fought blizzards to attend. The group was inspired and engaged by keynote speaker, Professor Victor Fuchs, whose focus on the economics of medicine in the 21st century served to challenge and enlighten. The presentations and workshops led by other Kalsman Partners were equally powerful and thought-provoking. Special thanks go out to all facilitators. (Rabbi Richard Address, Dr. Liz Feldman, Dr. Carol Hausman, Rabbi Stuart Kelman, Susie Kessler, Rabbi Dan Levin, Judith Margolis, Susan Rosenthal, David Schulman, Dr. Howard Silverman, Rabbi Shira Stern, Dr. Ronald Sunderland, and Rabbi Simkha Weintraub)

Debbie Friedman Tribute Concert

January 23, 2005

As a part of the 2005 Partner Gathering, the Kalsman Institute and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion presented Kalsman Partner Debbie Friedman with the Sherut L'Am Award in recognition of her contribution to the Jewish healing community. As a tribute to Debbie, a number of her friends (and Kalsman Partners) were gathered to perform a concert in her honor. Thanks to Cantors Jeff Klepper and Rosalie Will Boxt, Rabbi Ken Chasen, Doug Mishkin, Craig Taubman and especially to Cantor Evan Kent for coordinating and participating in what was a meaningful and joyous tribute to Debbie, her music, and her work. The award was presented by Dean Lewis Barth (HUC-LA).

The Academic Coalition on Jewish Bioethics Conference
"Medicine, Money and Morals: The Jewish Obligation to Heal Confronts Healthcare Economics"

April 3-4, 2005

The second annual ACJB conference in Philadelphia brought together a large group of some of the most prominent thinkers and doers in the Jewish bioethics realm. Keynote speaker Daniel Callahan, co-founder of the Hastings Center, spoke about "Challenges in Healthcare Delivery: The Federal Agenda," continuing a trend towards a broader understanding of the conflict between health and healthcare provision. Three plenaries analyzed obligations, priorities and costs of medical technologies and resources. Thanks to the ACJB board and supporters and especially to Donna Kirshbaum for coordinating this event.

View the program

Kalsman/Casden Forum
"The Politics of Health: When Jewish Ideals Meet American Economic Realities"

Zev Yaroslavsky

April 10, 2005

The latest in a series of forums addressing America's broken healthcare system was presented with the co-sponsorship of USC's Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life. 150 Los Angeles residents heard from four leaders and experts in their fields talk about the challenges of providing healthcare to our community. The panel consisted of Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Dr. Alexandra Levine, Chief Medical Director of the USC/Norris Cancer Center. Comments from HUC's own Dr. Stephen Windmueller and Andi Milens of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs addressed the Jewish communal history, obligation and response, or lack of response, to the healthcare crisis. Special thanks to Leo Baeck Temple of Los Angeles for hosting this event.

"Health and Jewish Values: Day School Leadership Through Teaching"

In partnership with DeLeT, Day School Leadership Through Teaching, the Kalsman Institute helps day-school teachers learn about teaching health to young people. The course emphasizes integration: weaving themes of health and healing, and what Jewish tradition says about them, into general studies and Jewish studies curricula. Topics include Jewish texts on health; Jewish healers from history; recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect; health of the teacher/self-care; how children mourn and grieve; and more. DeLeT is a 13 month fellowship program designed to increase the number of professional teacher leaders to serve in the growing number of Jewish day schools across America. Fellows are trained at HUC-JIR Los Angeles or Brandeis University in addition to placements in day schools during the academic year.
Summer, 2003 and ongoing, Los Angeles

“Shleimut: Towards a Program of Congregational Nursing ”

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin convenes nurses, rabbis, social workers, and healthcare advocates, as part of the STAR grant awarded to the Baltimore Jewish Healing Center. This planning group's goal is to introduce, and demonstrate the benefits of, community-based nursing programs in a select number of Jewish communities. This ongoing initiative includes symposia throughout 2001 and a gathering in April 2002, of 50 individuals committed to developing a philosophy of and training curriculum for congregational nursing.

Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis, RN, congregational rabbi in Flower Mound, Texas, and Karen Frank, RN, congregational nurse in New Jersey, present on the successes and challenges of congregational nursing programs, at the Baltimore Shleimut Gathering, April 2002

(l to r)Susie Kessler, National Center for Jewish Healing, Rabbi Richard Address, URJ Department of Jewish Family Concerns, and Rabbi Nina Cardin, JCC of Greater Baltimore, enjoy some sunshine at the Baltimore Shleimut gathering, April 2002.

“Addressing Quality of Life: A Challenge for Jewish Bioethics - the
First Annual Conference of the Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics”

Academic centers foster Jewish approaches to biomedical issues: this coalition explores new expressions of Jewish healthcare ethics. A major national conference presents current research, fresh viewpoints, and progressive interpretations of traditional ethics texts. Coalition members include: Kalsman Institute, HUC-JIR; Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania; Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; HUC-UC Center for the Study of Ethics and Contemporary Moral Problems; University of Judaism; the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary; and the Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel.
Ongoing project. National conference February 29 and March 1, 2004, Philadelphia. For more information please write to bioethicscoalition@rrc.edu

View conference brochure (pdf)

"Art, Creativity and Aging"

In conjunction with the world-class exhibit "The Art of Aging" at the HUC-JIR Museum in New York, the Kalsman Institute presents a forum on the creative process and its connection to the spirituality of aging. A panel discussion is followed by a tour of the international exhibition of works by 82 contemporary artists from North America, Israel, and England, who through painting, sculpture, photography, installation, fiber, mixed media, and video explore the diverse aspects of aging, including creativity and vitality, memory, anxiety, wisdom, physical change, loss, intergenerational interaction, responsibility, and optimism.
April 29, 2004, HUC-JIR New York

“Models of Cooperation: Reflections on the Jewish Healing Movement”

Along with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, the Kalsman Institute presents a conference for the leadership of the Jewish healing movement. Celebrating the 13th year of this movement, the conference will present models for creating interdisciplinary teams within communities to do health-related work, and will explore a vision for the future of the Jewish healing world. Guest honorees include Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Rabbi Rachel Cowan, and Rabbi Nancy Flam, three of the founders of the Jewish healing movement. Co-sponsored by the National Center for Jewish Healing. For more information contact Sarah Fenner, Conference Coordinator, (415) 750-4198, healingconference@mzhf.org
December 14-16, 2003, Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA

View conference brochure (PDF format)

View conference information and video clips

"Prayers for Healing from the Jewish Mystical Tradition"

Dr. Eitan Fishbane

Dr. Eitan Fishbane, Assistant Professor of Jewish Religious Thought at HUC-JIR Los Angeles, presents textual models of prayer for the healing of the body and the spirit inspired by the language and imagination of Kabbalah and Hasidism. This "Lunch and Learn" for the HUC-JIR community provides students, faculty and staff an opportunity to learn together.
November 11, 2003 HUC-JIR, Los Angeles

View video of Dr. Fishbane's presentation

“North American Chevra Kadisha Conference”

Kavod v'Nichum (Honor and Comfort) presents this conference to provide training, identify resources and encourage networking among Chevra Kadisha groups and bereavement committees in U.S. and Canadian synagogues and communities. Kavod v'Nichum publishes Chevra Kadisha News and has an extensive website with articles and links about Jewish traditions around dying, death, funerals, burial and mourning. The Chevra Kadisha Conference is designed for lay people and professionals involved in any area that touch on these Jewish traditions. Topics include the work of the Chevra Kadisha, Bikkur Cholim, Taharah, Cemeteries, Funerals, and Mourning. Co-sponsored by the Kalsman Institute, the URJ Department of Jewish Family Concerns, the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington, and STAR. For more information contact David Zinner, davidzinner@comcast.net, (410) 799-8070.
June 22-24, 2003, B'nai Israel Synagogue, Rockville, Maryland

“Mining the Jewish Tradition for its Healing Wisdom”

The Jewish healing movement is at a crossroads. Many congregations and communities are beginning to provide healing efforts, and are sensing that there are more resources out there yet untapped. Those who have been enfranchised are eager to dig deeper. Familiar sources have been drawn upon for years; this conference explores undiscovered, lost, and new texts to enhance and support healing practices.

A special Thursday evening program highlights art as text in the language of healing. Keynote speakers include Arthur Green, Elliot Dorff, Tamara Eskenazi, and Arnold Eisen. Planned in full partnership with Temple Chai of Phoenix, Arizona, in cooperation with the URJ.
May 15-18, 2003, Scottsdale, Arizona

View "Save the Date" flyer
View conference program, see video and read keynote texts

“Roundtable on Spirituality”

Huc-JIR and the University of Judaism convene a day-long workshop on spiritual matters in the curriculum for training of rabbinical students. Guest participants include Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Linda Thal, the staff of Gateways Beit T’shuvah, and others.
March 19, 2003, University of Judaism, Los Angeles, by invitation

“Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility - Focus on Healthcare”

Each month Sh'ma asks contributors to wrestle with and explore intellectual, cultural, and spiritual issues, synthesizing them into an inspiring vision for contemporary Judaism. In February 2003, Sh'ma partners with the Kalsman Institute to publish an issue focusing on increasing the humanity in health care. Contributors include respected professionals such as Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Rabbi William Cutter, Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Dr. Arnold Gold, Dr. Susan Sered, Rabbi Susan Harris, Jaclyn Herzlinger, R.N., and Gila Silverman, MPH. This special issue of Sh'ma will be distributed widely through synagogues, JCCs and the network of Jewish Healing Centers to provide Jewish communal leadership and laity with a valuable resource for developing programs and materials in Jewish healthcare concerns.
February, 2003

“Kalsman Institute Partner Gathering II”

Partners of the Kalsman Institute gather to assess the status of their healing work and formulate strategies for the future of their communities.
January 26-27, 2003

View video segments from the Partner Gathering.

“Caring for Our Nation: Jews and America's Healthcare Crisis”

Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, joins the Kalsman Institute and the USC Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life to bring the attention of the Jewish community to the health crisis that faces the broad American public and to ponder the responsibility of Jews and the organized Jewish community. With special guest Dr. Alexandra M. Levine, Medical Director of the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital and a respected leader in HIV/AIDS research and treatment. Free and open to the public. For reservations call (213) 740-3405.

Visit Conference Website.
Read about this event in the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles
January 19, 2003, Stephen S. Wise Temple, Los Angeles

Alexandra M. Levine, M.D	Rabbi David Saperstein

“Death, Dying and End of Life Issues”

An interactive scholarly discourse on end-of-life issues, co-presented with the Joint Commission on Sustaining Rabbinic Education of the CCAR and HUC-JIR. This three-part mini-course is available to all CCAR members, and will feature sessions on literature, ethics, and congregational scholarship. The HUC-JIR Department of Distance Education makes this course accessible to colleagues around the globe through web-based educational materials and real-time call-in courses.

Learn more about the mini-course.
Download the Adobe Acrobat Registration Form.
November 6, 13, 20, 2002

“The Healing Power of Poetry”

The National Association for Poetry Therapy presents The Art Lerner Poetry Therapy Day with John Fox, noted poetry therapist, international lecturer and teacher, and remarks from Rabbi William Cutter. The National Association for Poetry Therapy, a community of healers and lovers of words and languages, embraces psychotherapists, physicians, health professionals, poets, educators, librarians, counselors, clergy, storytellers, as well as other healing art forms and professionals of all ethnicity. For more information please contact Dr. Robert Carroll.
October 27, 2002, HUC-JIR Los Angeles

Naomi Ackerman

“Days of Awareness”

HUC-JIR and the Family Violence Project of Jewish Family Service Los Angeles present a two-day conference on domestic violence for teens, families and communal professionals. Actor/activist Naomi Ackerman performs her one-woman show, "Flowers Aren't Enough," which chronicles one individual's journey through an abusive relationship.
October 20-21, 2002

“Mental Illness in the Jewish Community: Help, Hope and Healing”

A consortium of northern California Peninsula synagogues, the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, and the Kalsman Institute present a one-day conference on reducing the stigma of mental illness in the Jewish community. Modeled on a successful event held in Marin County. Held at Temple Beth Jacob, Redwood City, CA.
October 20, 2002

Jewish Bulletin of Northern California

	Panelists Dolores Brill, Mental Health Case Manager at Marin General Hospital and consumer advocate; Alex Markels, L.C.S.W with Jewish Family & Children's Services; and Mark Gottlieb, M.Sc., health physicist with the CA Dept. of Health Services and president of the San Francisco Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association.
	Rabbi Nat Ezray of Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA, welcomes the community to "Help, Hope and Healing."
	Rabbis Aliza Berk and Natan Fenner, of the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, and Rabbi Cutter of the Kalsman Institute, facilitate a workshop on Jewish spiritual support for people with mental illness, their loved ones, and their caregivers.
Photo credit: Joyce Goldschmid, Woodside, CA

“Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community”

Actor and activist Naomi Ackerman brings her one-woman show on domestic violence, "Flowers Aren't Enough," to the student body and community of HUC-JIR New York (see "Days of Awareness" below for more information on Ms. Ackerman and her work).The performance and subsequent discussion with students is the second annual program on domestic violence at the NY campus.
October 8, 2002, HUC-JIR New York

“The Safe Spot”

When a parent has cancer: a unique one-day camp for Jewish families with children ages 5 to 17. The JCC Shalom Institute in Malibu is the site for the second Safe Spot, a safe, welcoming environment for families to talk about how cancer has affected them. Rabbis, physicians, storytellers, social workers, and others give their time to create educational and recreational programs for kids and adults alike. Co-planned by Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles; Valley Beth Shalom; Jewish Federation of Los Angeles; Jewish Healing Connection of JFS/LA; and the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health. For more information call the Jewish Healing Connection at (323) 761-8800 or contact the Kalsman Institute.
June 9, 2002, Malibu, CA

“The Jewish Bereavement Project”

HUC-JIR School of Jewish Communal Service students Amy Berkowitz and Michele Prince, under the auspices of the SJCS and the Kalsman Institute, launch a web based resource guide to Jewish and community bereavement resources in the Los Angeles area. www.JewishBereavement.com is designed to provide information to help you, or someone you care for, find a way through the journey of mourning. Link to support groups, individual bereavement counselors, Jewish bereavement websites, books, organizations, and more.

“Jewish Healing Center Forum”

An opportunity for Jewish Healing Center professionals to share knowledge, skills, ideas, materials, experience and challenges with one another. Rabbi William Cutter, Director of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health, is the keynote speaker for the Forum, which includes workshops presented by participants on several of the following topics: Bikkur Holim, funding issues, development of programs and services, co-facilitation of groups and issues for both professionals, bereavement groups, Healing Services and materials, recruitment of volunteers, public relations and outreach, healing creative arts. The Forum is planned and convened by the Jewish Healing Centers of San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, National/NY and the Kalsman Institute.
March 18, 2002, La Jolla, CA

“Religious Values and Legal Dilemmas in Bioethics”

This conference, co-convened by and held at the Fordham University School of Law, will explore the relevance of religion to the work of lawyers who represent individuals in making significant medical decision. Questions include the cultural role of religious values in considering the legal issues of bioethics; and the extent to which a professional may bring individual conscience to bear in counseling.
January 28-29, 2002

“Women’s Health and Integrative Medicine”

The Second Annual Integrative Medicine Conference for Cancer and Chronic Illnesses, in the series “New Frontiers in Medicine,” will deal with various aspects of healthcare that are of particular concern to women. Convened by the Institute for Molecular Medicine at the Skirball Cultural Center.
February 23, 2001

“Healing and the Arts”

Painters, writers, sculptors, and artists of many media join a roundtable discussion on the interconnectedness of creativity, illness, and healing. Moderated by Nancy Berman, Director of the Skirball Cultural Center.
November 27, 2001

“From Myth to Reality: Opening the Window on Addiction in the Jewish Community”

This daylong conference by the Jewish community for the Jewish community seeks to raise the consciousness of the participants regarding the effects of addiction, focusing primarily on drugs and alcohol, though including other areas such as gambling and food. The conference will encourage interested laypeople and professional from different disciplines to address the problems from their own perspectives and to network with each other to expand their own expertise. Participants should leave with the understanding that addiction is a medical, psychological, spiritual and social problem for which treatment should be provided. Co-convened by the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, Gateways Beit T’Shuvah, and the Progressive Jewish Alliance.
October 22, 2001, Los Angeles

“What's a Stem Cell Anyway?”

Dr. Allan Tobin, Director of the Brain Research Institute at UCLA Medical Center, speaks to students, faculty and staff on stem cell research. Without understanding the scientific fundamentals of this new frontier in medical treatment and technology, how can one address the complicated ethical, moral and spiritual implications? Dr. Tobin explains cutting-edge research in accessible terms, and leads discussioni on what it could all mean to people working and living in the Jewish community.
October 16, 2001, Los Angeles

“Complementary Medicine Roundtable”

Experts from the fields of complementary and alternative healthcare meet to address the pressing issues of their community. This discussion, moderated by Anne Brener, will explore the possibility of a future conference on alternative and integrative therapies.
August 7, 2001, Los Angeles

“Through a Jewish Lens: Disability, Family and Culture”

Seminar on disability, culture and the family, with guest lecturers from Israel. This conference will:

• Examine current research on multicultural perspectives on disability
• Evaluate the legal and public policy implications
• Explore new models of interagency cooperation
• Engage distinguished academics and experts in the field.

Co-convened by the Kalsman Institute, the USC School of Social Work, the HUC-JIR School of Jewish Communal Service, and the USC/Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life.
September 13, 2001, Los Angeles

"Kalsman Institute Partner Gathering I"

A national deliberation among leaders in the Jewish and interfaith healing community. 75 Kalsman Partners meet at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley, CA, to help develop a mandate for the newly formed Kalsman Institute. Rabbis, nurses, cantors, social workers, educators, artists, students, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and others engage in strategic planning and form alliances with each other and their respective healing communities.
March 18-19, 2001, Los Angeles

“Frontiers of Ethics”

A dialogue on public policy, Halacha (Jewish law) and health. Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Dr. Laurie Zoloth-Dorfman, Rabbi David H. Ellenson and Rabbi Alan Henkin lead discussions with HUC-JIR rabbinic students on controversial issues in Jewish health ethics.
January, 2000

“Re-Imagining Illness/Re-Imagining Health”

A three-day national conference on new perspectives in health and healing. 300 people convene at HUC-JIR/LA, USC and the Skirball Cultural Center to address such issues as “Reclaiming Service: Caring for the Soul of the Caregiver” (keynote address by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen); “Death, the Distinguished Guest: Grief Counseling;” “Helping Doctors Pray;” “Therapoetics (Modern Poetry on Illness);” and more. Attendees include rabbis and other clergy, Jewish communal professionals; physicians; nurses; artists; mental health professionals, educators, and congregational leaders.
April 2-4, 2000, Los Angeles

Rabbi Bill Cutter and Debbie Friedman

Rabbi Alexander Schindler, Rabbi Bill Cutter, Dr.Les Zendle

“Health and Art”

Two inter-university dialogues on art, literature and health at the University of Southern California and HUC-JIR with Selma Holo, Director of the USC Museum. Using slides, graphics and poetry, discussions focus on how artists and poets use themes of illness and wellness in their work.
November, 1999, Los Angeles