Volunteers Graduate from Unique Chaplaincy Program

Another 20 compassionate volunteers have graduated from Refuat Ha-Nefesh, the Jewish Spiritual Care Visiting Program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Jewish Chaplaincy Program and Jewish Volunteer Center.

Launched in 2009 and led by rabbis, social workers and gerontologists, Refuat Ha-Nefesh (Healing of the Soul) explores the Jewish philosophy of visiting the ill, issues and concerns facing the elderly, religious perspectives of end-of-life issues, and traditional healing rituals. Participants also learn in a group setting about dementia and depression in seniors, Jewish medical ethics and other relevant topics. Since the program’s inception, 32 other volunteers have received certificates of completion, and are actively at work providing thousands of hours of spiritual support and companionship to people in institutional and home settings across Miami-Dade County.

Federation will begin taking applications for Refuat Ha-Nefesh again in the fall. For more information about The Jewish Chaplaincy Program, click here or email [email protected]. To learn about volunteer opportunities through Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center, click here or email [email protected].