Overview:
Studying Jewish sacred text, folklore and anthropology, from ancient wailing rituals to modern day soul-midwifery, we will learn from the past, and from special guests, and discuss if this might impact our present and future experiences.

Week 1: Being with our Dying Loved Ones
Jewish stories and customs for caring for our friends and family in the liminal time. Special guest, Soul Midwife, Rev Sheila Simmonds

Week 2: Rituals Between Death and Burial.
Customs of vigil and ritual washing, and folklore of the time between death and burial.
Special guest, Holly Blue Hawkins from the Gamliel Institute speaks about Taharah (the ritual washing of the body).

Week 3: Jewish Folk Customs of Grieving
Beyond the well-known practice of shivah, Jewish communities around the world have created nuanced practices for healthy grief from antiquity to the present day. What can we learn from them?
Special guest TBC.

Week 4: I Can't Go On, I'll Go On: Practices to Support Life After Loss
How can we adapt Jewish customs of remembrance, and prayers.
How can we travel across the ocean tides of grief or accompany our friends who are on that journey?

This course contains potentially distressing topics. Whilst they will be discussed with sensitivity, presenters and guests are not mental health professionals, and we recommend attendance only if you are confident of your mental wellbeing, or have adequate professional support.