The Kalsman Partners comprise a network of professional and lay leaders impacting our
communities through work in Judaism, health and healing. Presented on this page are samples
of writings from the Partners, ranging from descriptions of programs and support groups to
published material on using Jewish texts and resources for healing.
Dr Andiman speaks of the task of trying to predict future "progress" in medicine and how as in all technical arenas is peppered with pitfalls. He uses the example of the Human Genome to assert the validity of his theory.
Commissioned by Urban Strategies, LLC, Arlington, VA. Engagement Strategy to Enhance and Reinforce the Faith-Based Partnerships, sponsored by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Department of Health and Human Services. 2011.
A brief and accessible introduction to Torah, Torah study and Torah Reflections, commentaries on the weekly Torah portion especially attuned to the themes facing individuals, family and friends facing illness, loss and other bumps in the road. This introduction includes a website address to the bi-weekly Torah Reflections organized and offered by the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center.
An introduction to Project Shin - an innovative and successful model of Spiritual Healing Integrating Nursing developed through collaboration between the Jewish Health and Healing Center of the JCC of Metro-West, New Jersey, local synagogues and Jewish senior center programs. It includes vignettes, program philosophy and methodology. This is an inspiring overview of how Congregational Nursing can help communities better respond to the needs of their elderly in a holistic manner and strengthen caring responses within synagogues.
The purpose of this compilation is to help individuals connect with Jewish spirituality and learning through the portal of easily accessible Torah commentaries. Each Torah portion is an access point, a password that has the potential for enabling the reader to make a connection to God and stimulate an interest in further Jewish learning.
A journey through a multi-session Jewish spiritual support group for parents of estranged adult children complete with citations of biblical texts, stories and rituals used as triggers for exploring a broad range of complex feelings and issues. "The healing that took place with these parents arose from their connections to the ancient parents from their tradition; from the ability to comfort each other, from their having a place to tell their story and to be heard..."
An excerpt from the chapter entitled "God Is in the Text: Using Sacred Text and Teaching in Jewish Pastoral Care," which appears with complete citations in the volume Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook from Traditional and Contemporary Sources (2nd Edition), Edited by Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman, MAJCS, MSW, available from Jewish Lights Publishing.
This article is reprinted with the permission of the Jewish Communal Service Association, publishers of the Journal of Jewish Communal Service. For subscription information, visit JCSANA.org
Until recently, the Jewish Healing movement has primarily combined Jewish teachings and traditions, social work and counseling. Yet there are other fields that have much to offer to Jewish Healing, in terms of models for practice, potential for collaboration, and theoretical frameworks. One of these is Public Health, although the connection between Public Health approaches and Jewish Healing has been little explored. This paper seeks to begin to bridge this gap, by exploring the social epidemiology of religion and spirituality, and discussing the significance of incorporating spirituality and religion into public health programming.
The Advanced Jewish Healing Program was developed at Temple Chai in Phoenix as a three year project called "Lilmode, Lelamed, Lenakhm" or "To Learn, To Teach, To Comfort." The main goal of the program is to deepen the participants' understanding of Jewish healing practices and the mitzvot of healing. As a result, the participants have opportunities to explore and implement projects intended to bring healing to their personal and professional work as well as the congregation and the community.
Sharona Silverman is director of the Deutsch Family Shalom Center, Temple Chai.
Anyone who is trying to find meaning in their suffering, or who has questions about God and is seeking support or help from the Jewish tradition will find this booklet to be an accessible and helpful introductory resource. All of us struggle with how to create meaning and this booklet offers a glimpse of some of the many resources within Judaism. Included are highlights of three different theologies of suffering, a series of exercises to help clarify notions of God and some tools for how to cope with suffering.
Healing Circles created especially for the workplace were an outgrowth of Jewish Healing Connections at JF&CS of Greater Boston. Since many of us face difficult challenges professionally and personally regarding illness or loss, Healing Circles are an innovative tool to provide support in the workplace. Healing Circles are essentially a gathering time for staff to experience shared support, connection and self-renewal. This "how to" manual provides a roadmap for offering Healing Circles in various workplace settings.
Suzy Stone, a rabbinical student, was a Kalsman pastoral intern during the summer of 2009 at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. In 2011, Stone focused her fourth year sermon at the intersection of her community organizing interest and her desire to have as many people as possible execute an Advanced Directive form. Here is a link to her sermon for Parsha Metzora. Stone discussed the rituals of life, death, and illness in the Jewish tradition, measured against guidance from the Shulchan Arukh, which teaches that "a sick person should be encouraged to settle his affairs." Our student worked to catalyze members of the HUC community to fill out the AD form through her sermon and also by hosting a house event with Neil Wenger, MD to educate and answer questions. Wenger is a Kalsman partner and UCLA physician and bioethicist.