It’s Time to Elevate End-of-Life Conversations to Build Jewish Community

March 17, 2021 – I was invited to speak to a group of interfaith couples about Jewish rituals and customs surrounding death. It was right around Purim, and the subject of hamentashen unexpectedly came up. So I went off on that tangent just for a short bit, happy to spread some uplifting Jewish knowledge beyond […].... READ STORY

Plaza Takes “What Matters” to a National Stage

  This Friday, December 8th, Plaza board member Howard Sharfstein, What Matters: Caring Conversations About End of Life program director, Sally Kaplan, Rabbi Marion Lev-Cohen of Central Synagogue and Stephanie Garry will be presenting with “The Conversation Project” at the 2017 URJ Biennial in Boston. They will join thousands from across North America and around […].... READ STORY

Rabbinical students begin their journey, to help those nearing the end of theirs

Like the verse echoed by Rabbis (Ecclesiastes, Chapter three), at services inside Plaza; a Rabbi’s role at the end of life can sound similar: ‘A time to help prepare someone who’s nearing death and a time to console the family afterwards’. ‘A time to perform a memorial service for a long-time congregant, and a time […].... READ STORY

THE JOURNALISM OF DEATH AND DYING

        For a journalist, dealing with death in some form during their career is hard to avoid. Whether it be covering a terrorist attack, a natural disaster, a human-interest story, writing an obituary, or something else. Columbia Journalism School’s seven-week course titled The Journalism of Death and Dying”, taught by Professor Ari […].... READ STORY

3rd Annual Cemetery Visit

Plaza was honored to partner with The JCC in our annual visit to cemeteries. Fifty-five people experienced a meaningful day as we remember those who came before us. Umbrellas in one hand, prayers and stones in the other… Through the raindrops- we remembered. May their memory be for blessing.      .... READ STORY

Movie Monday and Honoring our Soldiers

As we just past Yom HaZikaron and are a week a way from Memorial Day, this weeks ‘Movie Monday’ focuses in on Memorial day movies for these two holidays. First is a list of Yom HaZikaron related Israeli movies, followed by a list of Memorial day movies.   We pay tribute to all American lives […].... READ STORY

From Grant to Workshop, Plaza’s ‘Can we Talk?’ starts Talking…

The Collaborative for Palliative Care (A group of over 50 public and private organizations collaborating on palliative care and end of life issues), is holding its 7th Interdisciplinary and Interfaith Conference about Palliative and End of Life Care, on June 6th and 7th. This year’s Conference is titled: ‘Changing the Conversation about Serious Illness: The […].... READ STORY

A Tribute to a True Jewish American Communal Leader – Mr. Ernest Michel

As we mourn the loss of Ernie Michel, we also pause to honor his memory during Jewish American Heritage Month. With over six decades of dedicated service to the Jewish community, Ernie was a true Jewish American leader. In 1947, he joined the United Jewish Appeal, and was their executive vice president from 1970-1989, where […].... READ STORY

A book, a few movies, an author, a shomer, a leading actress, a day of remembrance and Plaza Jewish

For this week’s ‘Words for Wednesday’ the featured book  is ‘Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep‘, by Michael Schulman, published by HarperCollins. Booklist said “Schulman’s balanced portrait of Streep’s unwavering dedication and demanding work ethic makes this a must-read for fans and aspiring actors.”   In addition to bringing attention and praise to Michael Shulman’s new […].... READ STORY

Movie Monday, Holocaust Remembrance Day and The 50 Most Moving Holocaust Films

On this Movie Monday, in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we feature what IMDB.com calls: “The 50 Most Moving Holocaust Films“.   In addition to this list, we add ‘Son of Saul’ which is now out on DVD and can be seen on Amazon video and iTunes.    .... READ STORY