Podcasts
In recognition of “National Donate Life Month,” Rabbi Neil Zuckerman — Associate Rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue in New York — joins Exit Strategy host Stephanie Garry to talk about the place of organ donation in end-of-life conversations … and within the framework of Jewish thought and practice. More Information: National Donate Life Month https://donatelife.net/how-you-can-help/national-observances-celebrations/ndlm/ […]....
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“What Matters” is a collaborative initiative by New York Jewish institutions enabling individuals to have conversations about — and document — end-of-life preferences … and engage Jewish values along the way. Rabbi Nicole Auerbach, Dir. of Congregational Engagement at Central Synagogue in New York, and Howard Sharfstein, Honorary President at Central, describe the program and […]....
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All losses are unique and present their own challenges, and the death of a daily companion and life partner carries its own. Cantor Rebecca Garfein, former Senior Cantor at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in NYC, and Rick Elice, a famed and award-winning writer for theatre, have faced the loss of a husband and have been public […]....
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From the pandemic to racial tensions, and from political dysfunction to war — the term “global grief” has emerged. What is it, and how can we as individuals and communities process the world around us … and find practical and spiritual grounding? Ruth Messinger, former president and CEO of the American Jewish World Service, and […]....
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What do we mean when we say we are looking for “closure” after a loss … and does the term even suggest a desirable outcome? In a widely read column in 2022, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz — senior rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in NYC — says that to best respect those who we’ve lost, and […]....
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Adam Cayton-Holland was on an upward trajectory through the national comedy scene in 2012, when his beloved sister Lydia took her own life and everything stopped. In his book Tragedy Plus Time, Adam writes about Lydia and his long journey through grief and depression to reclaim his life and creativity. Adam is interviewed by Exit […]....
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What exactly does a funeral director do? And why is he/she/they a critical advocate for anyone planning a funeral? Darren Picht, LFD and Executive Vice President of Funeral Operations at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel in NYC, gives a primer on funeral planning and what we should all do now to be properly prepared. He is […]....
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Are you putting off proper trust and estate planning because the task seems enormous and big decisions must be made? Many of us do, but it’s essential to protect and direct our assets according to our wishes. Jonathan Herlands, Esq. — who heads the Trust and Estates division at Gordon, Herlands & Randolph LLP in […]....
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What is an “ethical will” and why is it a critical instrument for your life and legacy? Rabbi Steve Leder of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles is a prominent voice on societal and Jewish communal issues, including meeting death with dignity, finding strength in loss and grief, and being intentional about what we leave […]....
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He lost his father to an act of murder, and later emerged as a leading voice dedicated to the reduction of gun violence in our society. Rabbi Joel Mosbacher of Temple Shaaray Tefila in NYC speaks to Exit Strategy Host Stephanie Garry about his journey from deep grief to advocacy. Video: “On Death and Dying: […]....
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