National Websites and Links
Bikkur Cholim Websites
Jewish institutions have always been engaged in aspects of healing. Clergy, lay leaders and individuals must engage in Bikkur Cholim (Visiting the sick) as a Mitzvah (obligation). Many institutions specialize in the particular nature of healing from a Jewish perspective.
- Kalsman Institute, Los Angeles, a part of the URJ (Reform movement)
- Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, San Francisco (non-denominational)
- National Center for Jewish Healing, New York (non-denominational)
If you are building your own bikkur cholim program, a great resource can be found at the Rabbi Isaac Trainin Bikkur Cholim Training Institute.
Several other organizations sponsor Jewish healing programs. Dealing specifically with palliative care, death and burial issues is organization Kavod V’Nachum (Honor and Comfort), which holds an annual conference dedicated to chevre kadisha (Jewish burial society).
Death Dying, and After-life Websites
Many resources already exist throughout the Internet related to beliefs, customs, and mitzvoth related to Jewish death, dying and the afterlife, Jewish mourning rituals, and Jewish and secular insights into the process of grief and loss. Shiva.com, The Resource for the Jewish Mourning Process, explains the customs behind sitting Shiva, how to plan for a Shiva and gives you the opportunity to send food contributions to a family sitting shiva.
Many people find www.Shivaconnect.com a one-stop-shop for creating a shiva experience.
Aging Resources
- Hiddur: The Center for Jewish Healing
- RitualWell: Ceremonies for Jewish Living
- Jewish Sacred Aging
Jewish Advanced Planning
- Center for End of Life Care: An excellent resource for Jewish Advanced Planning. This includes resources for families, physicians and clergy.
- The Conversation Project: Living wills are becoming a need for many as we age and The Conversation Project is a great place to begin, providing families with a framework to engage in difficult conversations.
