Consider Yourself "Deputized" as an Agent for Healing

A father dies, leaving four young children. A couple separate; their future together seems bleak. A woman miscarries. Soon, each encounters the isolation that often accompanies loss and pain.

This one’s mother sinks deeper into the fog of Alzheimer’s disease. That one loses his job. She embraces her child as he struggles with learning challenges. He fights depression as his teen battles addiction. Without warning, the quiet of suffering consumes them.

For generations, synagogues (and by extension, the whole Jewish community) have acted as caring communities, answering, “Henaynu – here we are” when the challenges of our world assault the routines of life. In the traditional Jewish community, chevra kaddisha societies took care of the holy task of burying the dead and helping the mourners walk the path into the future. Tzedakah collectives addressed the monetary needs of people facing financial strains due to death, illness or other challenges . More significant, Jews were raised to understand their special role in breaking down walls of silence and reaching out to those in need. Each member of the Jewish community considered himself or herself obligated to assist others: by helping to identify those in need, by alerting the communal caring organizations and, most important, by reaching out to those he knows and even those she does not know. These actions seek to assist with the healing and to alleviate the feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Today, as people feel more and more isolated from traditional communal structures, we ask: From what quarter will come the respite from the loneliness? Where can we turn to find solace and support when darkness spreads over our lives?   more

Need our help and support? Contact Karen Freeman Heynaynu Chair

Producing a Healing CD and Wellness Baskets
By Sheryl Braunstein

Back in September of 2003, when our Congregation Or Ami Henaynu Caring Community Committee was in the process of organizing a wellness basket, Marina Mann, chair of the committee, and I attended a Bikor Cholim (visiting the sick) meeting at the West Valley JCC. The topic for the evening was "Music and the Power of Healing." The panel consisted of three musicians (including Or Ami’s Cantorial Soloist Terry Lieberstein) who shared their moving experiences utilizing music to help those in need of healing.

We were so touched by the whole evening and inspired by the power of music to heal. This sparked an idea for Marina: What if we put together our own music healing CD, using the talents of our congregants and our Cantor Doug Cotler, and include it in the wellness basket?

A few committee meetings later, the production of our CD was well underway. Recordings were collected from our Or Ami composers: Cantor Doug Cotler, Judith Berman, Terry Lieberstein, Aaron Meyer, and Sheryl Braunstein. We recorded the comforting words and prayers of our Rabbi Paul Kipnes, and obtained permission to use the Mi Shebeirach music of Debbie Friedman and Neil Katz. The end result, Shiray Refuah: Songs of Healing, was amazingly more than we ever expected.

One week after its completion, after one hundred copies were burned, twelve volunteers gathered together to assemble the wellness baskets, which included a teacup with chicken broth packets, a pocket blessing, a piece of artwork, and of course our new CD (which took some assembling of it‘s own). Over the next year those wellness baskets were delivered to the sick, and to the grieving. The response was overwhelmingly positive. We have received letters, phone calls, and emails expressing excitement, gratitude, and relief. Moreover, we received many requests to obtain copies of the Shiray Refuah: Songs of Healing CD.

In order to make the CD available to a wider audience, a second printing has been made in memory of congregant Gus Korman, with the support of his family and friends. We are excited to say that anyone can now obtain copies of the Shiray Refuah: Songs of Healing CD for a suggested donation of $18.00. The proceeds will support the programs at our synagogue. If you are interested in obtaining one of these CD’s, please contact the temple office at (818) 880-4880.

At Or Ami, people matter. As a Shabbat Greeter, you have the ability to make that statement a reality. The warm way you greet our Shabbat guests (both the members and the visitors) may have more impact on their feelings of warmth from the congregation than anything the rabbi or cantor do!

To learn more click here

Here are some of Rabbi Kipnes writings that might help you:

Mi Shebeirach for Mental Illness

God is a Fraud

Service Honoring Caregivers

What happens after I die

Also, Rabbi Kipnes regularly blogs about issues of Health and Healing, click here for more information.