Refuat Ha-Nefesh - Greater Miami Jewish Federation

‫חמלה‬ ‫חסד‬ ‫חיבור‬

COMPASSION CARE CONNECTION

Praise be to the Lord, for God showed me the wonders of His love when I was in a city under siege.

Give of yourself... you can always give something, even if it is only kindness...no one has ever become poor from giving. - Anne Frank

If one is able to save another and does not, one transgresses the commandment, “Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:16)

(Psalm 31:21)

Rabbi Chama son of Rabbi Chanina also said: What is the meaning of the text: “You shall walk after the Lord your God?” (Deuteronomy 13:4) Is it possible for a human being to walk after the Divine presence? Has it not been said, “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire?” Rather, the meaning is to walk after the attributes of God: As God clothes the naked, for it is written, “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skin, and clothed them,” so should you also clothe the naked. As God visits the sick, for it is written: “And the Lord appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre,” so should you also visit the sick. As God comforts mourners, for it is written: “And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac, his son,” so should you also comfort mourners. As God buries the dead, for it is written: “And God buried him in the valley,” so should you also bury the dead.

- ‫ תורה‬:‫דרש ר‘ שמלאי‬ ‫תחלתה גמילות חסדים‬ ‫וסופה גמילות חסדים‬

(Babylonian Talmud Sotah 14a)

Rabbi Simlai taught: The Torah begins and ends with kindness. (Babylonian Talmud 14a)

– Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook

COMPASSION Chemla ‫ | חמלה‬CARE Chesed

‫ | חסד‬CONNECTION Chibur ‫חיבור‬

Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, a program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, helps to build connection to community and our sacred Jewish heritage. A compassionate, caring and connecting presence can help provide the resilience, courage and support needed to face life’s challenges. These three concepts are at the foundation of Jewish spiritual care. When an individual experiences loss or transition because of health, age or personal crisis, each of us has a Jewish obligation to one another. Mishkan Miami seeks to be a catalyst of change for local institutions, synagogues and volunteers through teaching and inspiring the values of Jewish spiritual care.

OUR VISION Visiting the sick has no limits – even the great must visit the humble, even one hundred times a day. (Talmud Nedarim 39b)

I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.

OUR MISSION

Mishkan Miami is creating a seamless community of care, in which agencies, synagogues and individuals work together for those who need it most. Mishkan Miami builds upon Federation’s mission that the Jewish community can provide support through economic and emotional assistance when needed. At the same time, we can provide spiritual support to all, recognizing that each person has been endowed with a transcendent spirit. Mishkan Miami sees a community that engages each member in both Refuat HaNefesh and Refuat HaGuf – healing of body and spirit.

Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. – Albert Einstein

Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support


A Program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation


O UR M AN D ATE Who is responsible for spiritual care in our communities? Our rabbis? Our synagogues? Our chaplains? Our Federation? The truth is, each of us can be a source of compassion, care and connection. We accomplish this through these three mandates:

O UR C H A L LE N G E The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is our communal safety net. Wherever there is a Jew in need locally, in Israel or around the world, it is our personal responsibility to make sure they are safe, to ensure they have the means to support themselves and to provide access to critical services. However, Jewish community is more than institutions, buildings or programs. It is about each of us — our goals, sense of meaning, aspirations, dreams, stories, values. It is about sharing our joys and sorrows together. In difficult times, our sense of being may be challenged. We may ask: • Who am I now? • What will happen to me? • How do I speak to loved ones about what I need most now? • How can I connect to my faith to give me support? This is when we need community more than ever. Like a tent or tabernacle — a mishkan — our community should be where we can find a sense of place and, most importantly, HOME. Like Abraham and Sara’s tent, we envision a community that is open to all. When we do this work in a Jewish context and utilize the spiritual resources of our past, we connect people to a larger community that transcends a specific time and place. We believe our community needs more spiritual care providers, and spiritual care must be a central part of our community culture. Spiritual care is part of our Jewish responsibility to one another.

SERVICE/AVODAH ‫עבודה‬ Mishkan Miami provides trained, board-certified chaplains for healthcare institutions and long-term care facilities throughout the community.

EDUCATION/CHINUCH ‫חינוך‬ Mishkan Miami convenes periodic conferences for healthcare professionals, mental health and social workers and for those dealing with aging populations.

COMMUNITY BUILDING/KEHILLAH ‫קהילה‬ Mishkan Miami empowers and trains volunteers and synagogues to visit those in need throughout Miami-Dade County.

Jewish tradition affirms that visiting those who are ill, or in need, is not only a nice gesture, but it is a critical obligation for each Jew. Consider the following text: Rabbi Helbo took ill. Rabbi Kahana proclaimed, “Rabbi Helbo is sick!” but no one came to visit. He rebuked the others as follows: “Did it not happen that one of Rabbi Akiva’s students became ill and none of the sages came to visit him?” Rabbi Akiva, however, came himself to visit, and because he swept and cleaned the room, he recovered. The student exclaimed, “Rabbi, you have indeed given me life!” Following this, Rabbi Akiva went to the academy and taught, “Whoever does not visit the sick is like a shedder of blood.”

How can we respond to Rabbi Akiva’s challenge to us? This informs Mishkan Miami’s collective mission.





A SPIRIT OF S UPPORT I was going through a personal health crisis. The ground felt like it was collapsing below me. I met with a Mishkan Miami chaplain. We prayed together and she provided direction and encouragement to me. The time spent together provided me with the courage to face what I was going through. I do not know what I would have done without her. - Jewish mother struggling with cancer

I reached out to Mishkan Miami after the death of my father. Many people, even my own children, told me that it was time to move on. I felt alone. I met a Mishkan Miami chaplain in a coffee shop, and he simply listened without judgment. It was the first time I could really express what my father meant to me. A year later, I hold this hour close to my heart. - Bereaved single daughter

A Mishkan Miami chaplain ran a short Passover Seder service with my father while he was in rehab at a local hospital. I watched my father sing and smile, relishing in the song and joy in the room. I had no idea that this would be his last Jewish experience, as he died the next morning. - Son of nursing home resident

A chaplain came to visit me during my stay at the hospital when I was suffering. I knew my life was approaching its final act. I asked myself, ‘Why me?’ However, in the course of our conversation with the chaplain, I was surprised how many other feelings stirred as well. I realized the richness of my own life, and that for many years I was given the gift to wake up around those I loved, to enjoy a beautiful day, smell the flowers, enjoy a good meal, and live with a roof over my head and security. I felt overwhelmed by gratitude for the gifts I had been given. I was not happy with what was happening to me, but deep down I felt a sense of inner peace. Just like God had been good to me all those years, He will continue to protect and support me even now. I don’t know if I would have had that breakthrough about myself until the Mishkan Miami chaplain visited.

SER VI CE /AVODAH Mishkan Miami chaplains have trained in clinical settings and many have received board certification through Neshama: The Association for Jewish Chaplains. We strive for excellence in providing care to those who need it most. Every day, our chaplains visit people in hospitals. On Fridays, religious services are performed in more than 15 facilities benefiting hundreds of adults, many of whom suffer from dementia. The program also offers prayer cards, a CD of soothing music, reflection books, cemetery prayers, burial guides and bereavement brochures. For many older adults, those with dementia, and those unaffiliated who are ill, our chaplains connect them to our sacred texts and traditions when they need it, and also to our community.

- Hospital patient





E D UCATI ON/ CH I NU CH Mishkan Miami partners with Jewish socialservice agencies, Jewish assisted living facilities, hospices, major hospitals and synagogues to create learning opportunities for healthcare professionals, mental health counselors, Jewish and Christian chaplains, congregational clergy and those engaged in elder care. In these conferences, we address our communal obligations and emerging issues relevant to aging populations.

Prepared by Mishka n Miami (formerly The Jewish Chaplaincy Program of the Greater Miami ) Jewish Federation in partnership with the Rabbinical Associa tion of Greater Miami. For more than 40 years, we have provide d comfort and care through visitation, religiou s services and pastora l care.

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es tion, tools and resourc For more informa loss, mourning and related to bereavement, visit please plaincy. spiritual recovery, out/departments/cha JewishMiami.org/ab groups, s referrals to support Our website provide materials. rituals and reading

OF LOSS

one occurs and the death of a loved ng emotions: preparations, when Despite all planned ce a range of conflicti e, you may experien pain and, sometimes, a sense you survive someon anger, fear, futility, ized; your disbelief, agony, guilt, body may become numb and desensit where to begin. Not and inspiring spiritual tears your places of worship voice silent, or your your of relief. Physically, many wonderful ctable, l and unpredi support. and cold, the actions may be irrationa imagine a lifeless winter day, bleak would be glad to provide might of our grief. uncontrollable. One time is the winter feel the short days. This her voice. You cannot g or his darkness overtaking hear more. You cannot Prayer Upon Passin the consolation of The deceased is no or her presence. Only his see t, cannot Ha-Eme Baruch Dayan true judge. his or her touch. You future remain. God, who is the uncertainty of the Blessed are you, what was and the mourning that ritual periods of v’Adonai lokach, with loss. tradition, we have has taken away. Adonai notan, realities of dealing Within the Jewish WEEK given and Adonai a Jewish of the emotional Adonai (God) has DAYS: 305.576.4000 one, tradition exempts correspond to many EVENINGS AND n of h, l’olam vo’ed. g the loss of a loved mivorac WEEK ENDS: 305.562.1235 – even the daily obligatio Immediately followin Y’hi Shem Adonai be praised forever. positive commandmentsthat there is a lesson in death. name s Rabbi many Adonai’ from May person ed Frederick L. Klein ming of long ago recogniz for a period, the life-affir Mishkan Miami, Director prayer. The rabbis least at and grip, its s in Rabbinical Associatio almost absurd. You may feel powerles n of Greater Miami, Executive dments may appear Vice President power of the comman loss imaginable. of detachment and most profound sense defined periods to allow for the THIS BROCHURE WAS Death creates the PROVIDED BY tradition provides necessary. The Therefore, the Jewish grief which is helpful, natural and so that you on of reality of the death, cathartic expressi way to accept the a find w someho task is to to mourn. and allow yourself can accept your grief of intense g Shiva period an initial week-lon lessened loss Following the funeral, Shloshim period of wear a followed by a 30-day cover the mirrors and mourning begins, Jews sit on the ground, g the initial (includes Shiva). Many torn at the funeral. Some Jews, followin was avoid cutting hair clothes, ripped garment that launder not us, continue to actions help to remind period of Shiva, will to music. All of these that we seek and refrain from listening indeed, not all is well. It tells others us that, and those around reconnection. comfort, solace and of sorrow, this is are seen as times Shloshim periods the Shiva, it isGrea ter Miam i Jewish Federatio While the Shiva and into our lives. During to come and others welcome s to n precisely the time community member rabbinic iate for friends and according to many considered appropr APLAINCY and support. In fact, CH PR to fulfill our H provide words of comfort e who has experienced loss is someon 19:18). Others authorities, to visit r as yourself” (Lev. of “loving your neighbo of God.” Community, or sacred sacred obligation ways as “walking in the interpret this act now, more than ever. – nt re importa h ate s r M ia mi Jewi community, is critically

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me now. Please don’t judge behaving strangely. Or think that I’m g. remember I’m grievin I may even be in shock. I may feel deep rage. afraid. feel I may But above all, I hurt. I may even feel guilty. unlike any I’ve ever felt before. pain I’m experiencing a think I’m getting better Don’t worry if you rd. I seem to slip backwa And then suddenly this way at times, Grief makes me behave you “know how I feel” me And please don’t tell my life. me to get on with Or, that it’s time for to myself.) this saying already (I am probably to recover. time to grieve and What I need now is

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You do not need to be alone. Speak to your rabbi or spiritual advisor , or call us. Mishkan Miami, our chaplains and our community rabbis are committed to helping you and your family. We are here to assist have – even though ueduring timesyou of synagog physica time, youl attend to share not only illness, ue be a place Perhaps, during this al synagogemotion pain a or same Could the decades. in l need. If you who are going through not attendedspiritua ncing your loss with others areinexperie ue, nota knowing also need crisis your joy, butand foot a synagog a guiding stepping hand, even fear is blessed with please itycontact journey? You may us. Jewish commun to worry; Miami’s leaders who

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Past professional seminars include: • • • • • • •

Resilience and Aging Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Seminar for Rabbis Jewish Ethics at the End of Life Aging With Meaning: A Spiritual Journey Stories of Living: Shattering Stereotypes of Aging Meaningful Moments: Holding On While Letting Go Society, Aging & Our Responsibility: Ethical Decision-Making

For the past several years, Mishkan Miami has trained volunteers from all religious and denominational backgrounds to come together and learn the art of spiritual care. Over the course of six months, our volunteers study and volunteer in hospitals, longterm care facilities, hospices, synagogue caring groups or through one-on-one visits. The program, called the Refuat HaNefesh Fellows or Jewish Spiritual Care Volunteer Fellowship, has transformed the lives of many individuals, as they use these skills in their visits and in their own lives. Mishkan Miami hosts seminars for synagogue professionals and lay leaders and partners with local congregations to help them build their own caring communities.





MIS H KAN M IA M I IS ABOUT YOU Each of us seeks meaning and transcendence, especially during times of crisis. Our rituals, our traditions and our communities can provide hope to each of us. The Mishkan (tent or tabernacle) in our Jewish tradition was not only where the people gathered together in the desert, but where they went to encounter the Divine.

We are committed to providing that connection for those who feel they wander in their own personal deserts. Community can truly be sacred if we have that sacred intention.

We hope you will join us in bringing this vision to reality.

If you, a loved or a friend seek spiritual support or are seeking community connections, please call us. We are here to assist. We welcome your interest in supporting our efforts through a financial gift or a cemetery plot donation. If you are interested in volunteering yourself, please contact us. Rabbi Frederick L. Klein, Director, Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, a Program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, can be reached at 786.866.8621 or [email protected].

Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support A Program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Greater Miami Jewish Federation Stanley C. Myers Building 4200 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33137 305.576.4000 | JewishMiami.org The Mission of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is to mobilize human and financial resources to care for those in need, strengthen Jewish life and advance the unity, values and shared purpose of the Jewish people in Miami, in Israel and around the world. Member of

The Jewish Federations of North America