Educational Programming In-Depth Explorations

Books

Afterlife and Soul

Gillman, Neil, The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000.
Kamin, Ben, The Path of the Soul Making Peace with Mortality, Plume, 1999.
Palatnik, Lori, Remember My Soul: What To Do In Memory Of A Loved One, Leviathan Press, 1998.
Pinson, DovBer, Reincarnation and Judaism: The Journey of the Soul, Jason Aronson, 1999.
Raphael, Simcha Paull, Jewish Views of the Afterlife, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2009.
Spitz, Elie Kaplan, Does the Soul Survive? A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives, and Living with Purpose, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000, 2011.
Syme, Rifat Sonsino, Daniel B., What Happens After I Die?: Jewish Views of Life After Death, URJ Press, 1990.
Wachtel, David, From This World to the Next: Jewish Approaches to Illness, Death and the Afterlife, 1999.
Wexelman, David M., The Jewish Concept of Reincarnation and Creation: Based on the Writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital, Jason Aronson, 1999.

Aging

Davidson, Sara, The December Project, An Extraordinary Rabbi and a Skeptical Seeker Confront Life’s Greatest Mystery, HarperCollins Publishers, 2014.
Friedman, Dayle A., Jewish Visions for Aging, A Professional Guide for Fostering Wholeness, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2008.
Shachter-Shalomi, Zalman, From Age-Ing to Sage-Ing, A Profound New Vision of Growing Older, Warner Books, 1995.

Chaplaincy

Friedman, Rabbi Dayle A., Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook From Traditional and Contemporary Sources, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2005.
Ozarowski, Joseph S., To Walk in God’s Ways: Jewish Pastoral Perspectives on Illness and Bereavement, Jason Aronson, 1995.

Children

Tablet Magazine article on “Best Childrens’ Books About Death” (2016)
Grollman, Earl A., Talking about Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child, Beacon Press, 1991.
Grollman, Rabbi Earl, How to Explain Death to Children, Unknown Publisher.
Liss-Levinson, Nechama, When a Grandparent Dies: A Kid’s Own Workbook for Dealing with Shiva and the Year Beyond, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1995.
Spero, Moshe Halevi, Saying Goodbye to Grandpa, Simcha Media Group, 1997.
Wolfelt, Alan D., PH.D., A Child’s View of Grief (A Guide for Caring Adults), Service Corporation International, 1990.

Civil Law

Carlson, Lisa, Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love, Upper Access, 1997.

Cremation

Kornbluth, Doron, Cremation or Burial; a Jewish View, Mosaica Press, 2012.

Ethical Wills

Abrahams, Israel, Hebrew Ethical Wills, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1976, 1954.
Riemer, Jack, and Stampfer, Nathaniel, So That Your Values Live on: Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1994.

Eulogy

Solomon, Victor M., and Cohen, Hershel., Nahalat Shafra: A Book of Eulogettes, Ktav Pub Inc, 1990.

Finances

Arvio, Raymond Paavo, The Cost Of Dying And What You Can Do About It, Harper and Row, 1974.
Harmer, Ruth Mulvey, The High Cost of Dying: The Prices Practices and Moral Principles of Today’s Undertaking Industry, Collier, 1963.
Roberts, Darryl J., Profits of Death: An Insider Exposes the Death Care Industries, 5 Star Publications, 1997.

Funeral Practice

Bowman, Leroy, Ph. D., The American Funeral: a Study in Guilt, Extravagance, And, Sublimity., Public Affairs Press, 1959.
Mitford, Jessica, The American Way of Death Revisited, Vintage, 2000.
Rubenstein, Shmuel, The Jewish funeral: An Illustrated Analysis Of The Laws And Customs Governing The Jewish Funeral, S. Rubenstein, 1977.

General

Address, Richard F., A Time to Prepare, URJ Press, 2002.
Cope, Denys, Dying, A Natural Passage, Three Whales Publishing, 2008.
Corr, Charles A., Corr, Donna M., and Nabe, Clyde M., Death and Dying, Life and Living, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2006, 2009.
DeSpelder, Lynne Ann, and Strickland, Albert Lee, The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Deutsch, Rabbi Herschel L., A Philosophy of Funeral Practices and Mourning, Unknown Publisher.
Heilman, Samuel C., When a Jew Dies: The Ethnography of a Bereaved Son, University of California Press, 2002.
Isaacs, Ronald H, The Chain of Life, Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education with the assistance of the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, 1993.
Iserson, Kenneth V., Death to Dust: What Happens to Dead Bodies, Galen Press, 1994.
Kraemer, David, Meanings of Death in Rabbinic Judaism, Routledge, 1999.
Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth, Death: The Final Stage of Growth, Scribner, 1997.
Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth, On Death and Dying, Scribner, 1997.
Myerhoff, Barbara, Number Our Days (Touchstone Book), Touchstone, 1980.
Nuland, Sherwin B., How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter, Vintage, 1995.
Nuland, Sherwin B., and Riemer, Jack, Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning, Syracuse University Press, 2002.
Press, C., Concern for the Living, Feldheim Pub, 1990.
Riemer, Jack, Jewish Reflections on Death, Schocken, 1974.
Riemer, Jack, Wrestling with the Angel: Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning, Schocken, 1995.
Siegel, Richard, Strassfeld, Michael, and Strassfeld, Sharon, The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit, Jewish Publications Society, 1965.
Solomon, Lewis D., The Jewish Book of Living and Dying, Jason Aronson, 1999.

Grief and Sorrow

Aiken, Lisa, Why Me, God?: A Jewish Guide for Coping and Suffering, Jason Aronson, 1997.
Alpert, Rebecca T, Confronting Mortality And Facing Grief: Jewish Perspectives On Death And Mourning : An Advanced Guide For Adult Study, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, 1997.
Anderson, Gary A., A Time to Mourn, a Time to Dance: The Expression of Grief and Joy in Israelite Religion, Pennsylvania State University Press, 1991.
Angel, Marc D., The Orphaned Adult: Confronting the Death of a Parent, Human Sciences Press, 1987.
Artzi-Pelossof, Noa Ben, In the Name of Sorrow and Hope, Knopf, 1996.
Brooks, James L., The Unbroken Circle: A Toolkit for Congregations Around Illness End of Life and Grief, Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life, 2009.
Bulka, Reuven P., Judaism on Illness and Suffering, Jason Aronson, 1998.
Cardin, Nina Beth, Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope: A Jewish Spiritual Companion for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2007.
Carmy, Shalom, Jewish Perspectives on the Experience of Suffering (Orthodox Forum Series), Jason Aronson, 1999.
Cutter, William and Kay, Terry, The Jewish Mourner’s Handbook, Behrman House Publishing, 1996.
Doka, Kenneth, Living With Grief: After Sudden Loss Suicide, Homicide, Accident, Heart Attack, Stroke, Taylor and Francis, 1996.
Glazer, Mel, And God Created Hope, Finding Your Way through Grief with Lessons from Early Biblical Stories, Marlowe and Company, 2007.
Jaffe, Hirshel, and Rudin, James, Why Me? Why Anyone?, St. Martin’s Press, 1986.
Jeffreys, J. Shep, Helping Grieving People: When Tears Are Not Enough: A Handbook for Care Providers, Brunner-Routledge, 2005.
Kay, Alan A., Jewish Book of Comfort, Jason Aronson, 1997.
Lamm, Maurice, Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief, The Jewish Publication Society, 2004.
Levy, Yamin, Confronting the Loss of a Baby: A Personal and Jewish Perspective, Ktav Publishing House, 1998.
Levy, Yamin, Journey Through Grief: A Sephardic Manual for the Bereaved and Their Community, Ktav Publishing House, 2003.
Miller, Rabbi Uri, Be Comforted, Baltimore, 1948.
Olitzky, Kerry M. and Friedman, Debbie, Jewish Paths Toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing With Suffering, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000.
Parkerton, Jane J., Person, K. Jeanne and Silver, Anne Winchell, Where You Go, I Shall: Gleanings from the Stories of Biblical Widows, Cowley Publications, 2005.
Plotkin, Paul, The Lord Is My Shepherd: Why Do I Still Want?, Eakin Press, 2003.
Rando, Therese A., Twelve Insights into Grieving after the Death of Your Loved One, Service Corporation International, 2008.
Shahin, Nissim Ben Jacob ibn., An Elegant Composition Concerning Relief after Adversity (Vol XX in Yale Judaica Series) Translated by Brinner, Yale University Press, 1977.
Silverman, William B., When Mourning Comes: A Book of Comfort for the Grieving, Jason Aronson, 1994.
Stern, Sholom, When Words Fail: A Religious Response to Undeserved Hurt, Jason Aronson, 1999.
Weintraub, Simkha Y., Healing of Soul, Healing of Body: Spiritual Leaders Unfold the Strength and Solace in Psalms, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1994.
Wolfson, Ron, A Time to Mourn, A time to Comfort, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1996.
Wolpe, Rabbi David J., and Albom, Mitch, Making Loss Matter : Creating Meaning in Difficult Times, Riverhead Trade, 2000.

History

Baron, Salo Wittmayer, A Social and Religious History of the Jews in Three Volumes, Columbia University Press, 1937.
Bernstein, Abraham, M.D, A History of Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco; Chevra Kadisha – Its Meaning And Concern In Jewish Life, Unknown Publisher, 1980.
Diner, Hasia R., A Time for Gathering: The Second Migration, 1820-1880 (The Jewish People in America) (Volume 2), The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995.
Goldberg, Sylvie-Anne, Crossing the Jabbok: Illness and Death in Askenazi Judaism in Sixteenth- through Nineteenth-Century Prague (Contraversions : Critical Studies in Jewish Literature, Culture, and Society, 3), University of California Press, 1997.
Hallote, Rachel S., Death, Burial, and Afterlife in the Biblical World: How the Israelites and Their Neighbors Treated the Dead, Ivan R. Dee, Publisher, 2001.
Joselit, Jenna Weissman, The Wonders of America: Reinventing Jewish Culture 1880-1950, Hill and Wang, 1996.
Laderman, Gary, Rest in Peace: A Cultural History of Death and the Funeral Home in Twentieth-Century America, Oxford University Press, USA, 2005.
Marcus, Jacob Rader, Communal Sick Care in the German Ghetto (Ella H. Philipson Memorial Publications, V. 1,), Ktav Pub Inc, 1978.
Metcalfe, Peter and Huntington, Richard, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979.
Meyers, Eric M, Jewish Ossuaries: Reburial And Rebirth: Secondary Burials In Their Ancient Near Eastern Setting (Biblica et Orientalia, 24), Biblical Institute Press, 1971.
Neusner, Jacob, A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part Ten: Parah: Literary and Historical Problems (Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity), Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007.
Rischin, Moses, The Jews of North America, Wayne State University Press, 1987.
Wachtel, David, From This World to the Next: Jewish Approaches to Illness, Death and the Afterlife, 1999.

Humor

Zackheim, Victoria, Exit Laughing: How Humor Takes the Sting Out of Death (IO), North Atlantic Books, 2012.

Interfaith

Bloom, Rabbi Mark, et al, A Place In The Tent: Intermarriage And Conservative Judaism, EKS Publishing, 2004.

Kaddish

Diamant, Anita, Saying Kaddish: How to Comfort the Dying, Bury the Dead, and Mourn as a Jew, Schocken, 1999.
Goldman, Ari, Living a Year of Kaddish: A Memoir, Schocken, 2006.
Olitzky, Kerry M., Grief in Our Seasons: A Mourner’s Kaddish Companion, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1998.
Wieseltier, Leon, Kaddish, Vintage, 2000.

Mourning

Brener, Anne, Mourning and Mitzvah: A Guided Journal for Walking the Mourner’s Path Through Grief to Healing, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2001.
Eisenstein, J.D., Mourner’s Manual, Hebrew Publishing Company, 1929.
Felder, Aaron, Basic Guide to Jewish Laws and Customs of Jewish Sacred Society, Chevra Kadisha of Chicago, 1981.
Glazer, Rabbi Mel, When Death Visits a Jewish Home: 99 Actions For Mourners, Unknown Publisher.
Goldberg, Chayim Binyamin, Mourning in Halacha [Avelut ba-halakhah/Zikhron avot]: The Laws And Customs Of The Year Of Mourning (ArtScroll Halachah Series), Mesorah Publications, 1996.
Goldstein, Zalman, The Jewish Mourner’s Companion (with complete liturgy) (Companion Series), Jewish Learning Group, 2006.
Gordon, Albert Isaac, In Times Of Sorrow: A Manual For Mourners, United Synagogue of America, 1959.
Harlow, Rabbi Jules, The Bond of Life: A Book for Mourners, The Rabbinical Assembly, 1983.
Hirsh, Richard, A Guide to Jewish Practice: The Journey of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Press, 2006.
Isaacs, Ron H., and Olitzky, Kerry M., A Jewish Mourner’s Handbook, KTAV Publishing House, 1991.
Kolatch, Alfred J., The Jewish Mourner’s Book of Why, Jonathan David Publishers, 2004.
Levine, Aaron, To Comfort the Bereaved: A Guide for Mourners and Those Who Visit Them, Jason Aronson, 1994.
Lunche, Howard J., Understanding Grief : A Guide For The Bereaved, SVL Press, 1999.
Sperka, Joshua, Eternal Life a Digest of All Jewish Laws for Bloch, 1961.
Spero, Shubert, Journey into Light: A Manual for the Mourner, Spero Foundation, 1959.
Spiro, Jack D., Time to Mourn: Judaism and the Psychology of Bereavement, Bloch Publishing Company, 1985.
Stavsky, David, For Thou art with me: A Manual of Mourning, P. Feldheim, 1965.
Teutsch, David A, Kol Haneshamah: Prayers for a House of Mourning, Reconstructionist Press, 2001.
Toperoff, Shlomo Pesach, Eternal Life: A Handbook For The Mourner, Unknown Publisher, 1972.
Wolfson, Ron, and Wolpe, David J., A Time to Mourn, a Time to Comfort: A Guide to Jewish Bereavement (The Art of Jewish Living), Jewish Lights Publishing, 2005.
Wolpe, David, Memorial Prayers – And Special Readings for the House of Mourning, Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, 2010.

Organ Donation

Farber, Zev, Halakhic Realities: Collected Essays on Brain Death, Maggid Publishing, 2015.
Farber, Zev, Halakhic Realities: Collected Essays on Organ Donation, Maggid Publishing, 2017.

Organizing

Goodman, Arnold M., A Plain Pine Box: A Return to Simple Jewish Funerals and Eternal Traditions, Ktav Publishing House, 2003.

Taharah

Barbarash, Ellie, et al, Health and Safety Precautions for Taharah, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018.
Berman, Rochel U. and Greenberg, Irving., Dignity Beyond Death: The Jewish Preparation for Burial, Urim Publications, 2005.
Epstein, Mosha, Tahara manual of practices: Including halacha decisions of hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, Chevra Kadisha Zichron Shabtai Leib of Greater Bri, 1995.
Erlick, Rabbi Avivah W., and Light, Richard A., Exploring the Soul of Taharah, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015.
Iliinsky, Rabbi Me’irah, Mapping the Journey: The Mourner & the Soul, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018.
Kelman, Rabbi Stuart, and Fendel, Dan, Chesed Shel Emet: The Truest Act of Kindness, Exploring the Meaning of Taharah, EKS Publishing, 2013.
Light, Richard A., Final Kindness: Honoring K’rovei Yisrael: Guidelines for Burial Preparation of Non-Jews Who Are Part of The Jewish Community, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.
Light, Richard A., Jewish Rites of Death: Stories of Beauty and Transformation, Terra Nova Books, 2016.
Light, Richard A., To Midwife a Soul: Guidelines for Performing Tahara, 5th Edition, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.
Ushpol, Isaac B, Likut Darkei Chesed: Summary Of Laws And Customs Applying To The Chevra Kadisha, Unknown Publisher, 1974.

Traditional Practices

Becker, Rabbi Rabbi Reuven G., You Are Your Parents’ Keeper, Feldheim Publishers, 2012.
Berechia, Rabbi Aaron of Modena, Sefer Maavar Yabbok, Unknown Publisher.
Dobrinsky, Herbert C., A Treasury of Sephardic Laws and Customs, Yeshiva University Press, 2002.
Dresner, Samuel H, The Jew in American life, Crown Publishers, 1963.
Farber, Rabbi Seth, and Tur-Paz, Shlomit, Burial and Mourning – Traditional Practical and Legal Dimensions, ITIM: The Jewish-Life Information Center.
Felder, Aaron, Yesodei Smochos : a Compilation of Jewish Laws and Traditions Dealing with Death and Mourning, with the Addition of Detailed Studies of Related Problems Arising from Modern Life Situations, New York : Felder, 1976.
Gollancz, Hermann, Fifty Years After: Sermons And Addresses Setting Forth The Teachings And Spirit Of Judaism (Third Series), Oxford University Press, 1924.
Gordon, Dr. Harvey L., Questions and Answers about Jewish Tradition and the Issues of Assisted Death, Union of American Hebrew Congregations – Department of Jewish Family Concerns – Committee on Bioethics in Cooperation with the Central Conference of American Rabbis Task Force on Assisted Suicide, 1998.
Hershman, Abraham M., The Code of Maimonides (Mishneh Torah): Book 14, The Book of Judges (Yale Judaica Series) (Bk.14), Yale University Press, 1949.
Ickovits, T’mimah Audrey, Eil Barukh – Seven Sacred Circles: Explanation and Translation of the Hakafot Ritual in Sefer Maavor Yabbok Through a Lens of Kabbalah with Hebrew Adapted for Use by Women, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018.
Isaacs, Ronald H., Gates of Heaven: A Handbook for Unveilings and Visiting the Cemetery, Ktav Pub Inc, 2004.
Kelman, Rabbi Stuart, and Fendel, Dan, Nihum Aveilim: A Guide for the Comforter, EKS Publishing, 2015.
Kelman, Stuart L., and Handler, Jane, Give Me Your Hand: Traditional and Practical Guidance on Visiting the Sick, EKS Publishing, 1998.
Lamm, Maurice, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (Revised and Expanded Edition), Jonathan David Publishers, 2000.
Light, Richard A., Jewish Rites of Death: Stories of Beauty and Transformation, Terra Nova Books, 2016.
Pachino, Marvin B., Toward an Understanding of Jewish Funeral and Mourning Practices, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 1966.
Rabinowicz, Harry M, Guide to Life: Jewish Laws and Customs of Mourning, Jewish Chronicle, 1982.
Weinberger, D, The Funeral And Cemetery Handbook [Sha¹are Nechamah] (The Artscroll Mesorah Series), Mesorah Publications, 2003.
Zlotnick, Dov, The Tractate “Mourning”(Semahot): Regulations Relating to Death, Burial and Mourning (Yale Judaica Series), Yale University Press, 1966.

Transgender

Dzmura, Noach, Balancing on the Mechitza: Transgender in Jewish Community, North Atlantic Books, 2010.