Shows
Buried in Work PodcastBeyond the Funeral: Sarit Wishnevski on Honoring the Dead and Supporting the LivingWhat if the way we honor the dead could transform the way we live?In this episode of The Buried in Work Podcast, Sarit Wishnevski, Executive Director of Kavod v'Nichum, explores the ancient Jewish rituals that bring meaning, comfort, and connection at the end of life—and how they can change the way we approach our own lives.For centuries, the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society) has ensured that no one faces death alone. But in today’s modern world, many of us avoid thinking about mortality altogether. What if embracing these traditions could help us l...
2025-03-2633 min
Good People TalkBuilding Community Around Jewish End-of-LifeKavod v’Nichum (“Honor and Comfort”) — a GPF grantee — brings Jewish end-of-life discussions and practices into the light by elevating and advancing Chevrot Kadisha — holy societies that support individuals, families and communities during a sacred life cycle event. Sarit Wishnevski, Kavod v’Nichum’s Executive Director, joins Naomi Eisenberger, GPF Co-Founder and Executive Director, to discuss the work and its impact on us and our communities.
This is Good People Talk, where Good People Fund grantees describe how they are filling societal voids … and uplifting individuals and communities in the US, Israel and elsewhere around the world.
The Good Peo...
2024-01-3020 min
Drinking and Drashing: Torah with a TwistEp. 323 - Sh'mini with Cantor Julie Yugend-GreenWhat does it look like to treat those who die with dignity? How can Jewish leaders mourn for and alongside their communities while maintaining the sacred mantle of leadership? In this week’s episode, we were blessed to learn with and from Cantor Yugend-Green, the current Cantor of Oak Park Temple (a special place for Executive Producer, Edon Valdman!). We look at the role of the Chevra Kadisha, the special Jewish burial laws and practices, and what it means to maintain silence (or even what NOT to say) in the face of great adversity.
Hebrew Terms Used in...
2023-04-1056 minDrinking and Drashing: Torah with a TwistEp. 310 - Vayechi with Sarit WishnevskiChazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik! We’ve made it to the last book of Genesis and a cinematic peek into the final moments of Jacob’s life. In this episode, we learn about supporting strong and meaningful endings from Sarit Wishnevski, Executive Director of Kavod V’Nichum. We learn about rituals and experiences that help inform our involvement in end-of-life practices that can honor the lives of those we hold dear in our community. Also, you might just learn a secret about the 7th of Adar!
To continue the conversation:
Kavod V’Nichum’s website: https://kavodvnichum.org
F...
2023-01-0248 min
The Be.Side ProjectMerissa Nathan GersonIn this episode, Merissa talks about her new book, “Forget Prayers, Bring Cake: A Single Woman’s Guide to Grieving”, and about her experience of her father’s death. Merissa’s book is part memoir and part a roadmap to navigating grief. A theme in her writing, and in our conversation, is innovating when rituals and practices no longer work for us. Merissa has a way of investigating the relationship between feelings and actions/rituals that I found interesting and helpful. This reflective practice can help us understand what to do with religious rituals when they cease to feel pu...
2021-09-2036 min
The Be.Side ProjectStephanie GarryIn this episode, Stephanie talks about her work at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel - a non-profit funeral chapel in New York City -and shares the experiences that led her to this world and continue to drive her today.I connected with Stephanie after reading an article she authored: It’s Time to Elevate End-of-Life Conversations to Build Jewish Community. I was already curious to learn about how a non-profit funeral chapel operates, and learning about the advocacy work made it even more exciting to connect. Stephanie was enthusiastic and patiently answered all my questions. Even though Stephanie’s da...
2021-08-2036 min
The Be.Side ProjectArielle FriedtanzerIn this episode, Arielle shares how she came to be an End of Life Consultant, talks about her work through a Jewish lens, and explores how end of life conversations don’t usually include young people and why we need to change that. Arielle and I met a few years ago when we bonded over our love for Jewish ritual. When I began the Be.Side Project several friends reached out and asked “have you talked to Arielle yet?!”. We happily reconnected over our shared understanding that talking about death should be both accessible and intergenerational. I hope y...
2021-07-0235 min
The Be.Side ProjectEmiliya ZhivotovskayaIn this episode, Emiliya shares about her experiences of grief and loss and how she connects those pieces of herself to Judaism and her work in the scientific study and application of Positive Psychology. Before talking with Emiliya, I knew little about Positive Psychology. It was fascinating to learn more and also where it intersects with Judaism. It turns out the two are a well-made match in ways that Judaism both celebrates life and honors death. About Emiliya Zhivotovskaya:Emiliya is the CEO and founder of The Flourishing Center, a New York City b...
2021-06-1141 min
The Be.Side ProjectHolly Blue HawkinsIn this episode, Holly Blue Hawkins shares about her role in end of life care and advocacy and about the way she came to her work and Judaism. Heading into the conversation, I expected we would focus on the present day, but it was in the journey that I found myself wanting to stay and listen. It's a reminder that how we get to places is as important as the places themselves. About Holly Blue Hawkins: Holly Blue Hawkins is a Natural Deathcare advocate, educator, community organizer, cemeterian, author and poet...
2021-05-1835 min
The Be.Side ProjectTeach Me Something with Rabbi Jessica MinnenIn this episode Rabbi Jessica Minnen teaches me about the story of Onan and we explore how this text about a guy who pulled out during sex may or may not have led to the word "onen” which is the word for someone in deep grief immediately following the death of a loved one, before the burial. About Rabbi Jessica Minnen: Rabbi Jessica Minnen is an educator, writer, and Clubhouse enthusiast. Part of the founding team of OneTable, she now serves as the organization's Rabbi in Residence. Originally from Paducah, Kentucky, she is an alumna of...
2021-04-2330 min
The Be.Side ProjectBONUS: Al RosenbergSometimes pieces of conversation have to get cut and sometimes those pieces are too good to let drift away. Here’s one more of Al sharing about death in their family and processing grief on grief’s schedule. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit besideproject.substack.com
2021-04-1404 min
The Be.Side ProjectAl RosenbergAl Rosenberg is a great many things including a strategist, a writer, an artist, and a fantastic storyteller. They're also living with an autoimmune disease that forces them to face their mortality all the time. This episode covers topics from the drama of certain Jewish ritual, what you probably shouldn't say to someone who is dying, to moments of joy and blessing. About Al Rosenberg: Al Rosenberg (they/them) is the Chief Strategy Officer at OneTable, a writer, a community lover, and a Jewish non-profit professional. They spend most of their time thinking a...
2021-04-0939 min
The Be.Side ProjectTeach Me Something with Rabbi Lisa GoldsteinIn this episode, Rabbi Lisa Goldstein joins me to talk about Honi Hame’agel, Honi the Circlemaker. About Rabbi Lisa Goldstein: Lisa is a rabbi, teacher and facilitator with almost 25 years of executive experience. For many years she was the director of Hillel of San Diego, creating vibrant, welcoming communities for all kinds of college students. And recently, was the Executive Director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, a global leader of Jewish mindfulness and spiritual practices. She has taught Jewish mindfulness meditation, prayer, and spiritual practice in various contexts for 20 years. Hebrew and...
2021-03-2428 min
The Be.Side ProjectAnalucía LopezrevoredoAnalucía is a Peruvian-Chilean-American who openly and intentionally shares about death and dying, reflecting on how the concept was introduced when she was a child and sharing the experience of confronting it as a young adult when her mother died. Analucía is also a world traveler, an active member and contributor to the Jewish community, and the Founder and Executive Director of Jewtina y Co. Hebrew and Jewish references explained:Kaddish: Aramaic for "sanctification", it is the name of a type of prayer. There are a few types of kaddish and here Analucía is r...
2021-03-1033 min
The Be.Side ProjectDan FendelWelcome to the Be.Side Project, an exploration of where the end of life and Judaism intersect.In this episode I speak with Dan Fendel a death doula, a spiritual care volunteer, and an active member of the Jewish community teaching about jewish end of life practices and making conversations about dying approachable.---------------------------Dan Fendel is the co-founder of the Chevrah Kadisha at Temple Sinai, he has been a Spiritual Care Volunteer at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland since 2014, and is a leader of the Melaveh project....
2021-02-1218 min
The Be.Side ProjectIntroduction to the Be.Side ProjectKicking off this podcast with an intro and some musing on how I came to find myself exploring where Judaism meets death + dying. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit besideproject.substack.com
2021-02-1107 min
The Be.Side ProjectThe Be.Side Project (Trailer)This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit besideproject.substack.com
2021-01-2600 min