Recently, the 4th Cohort of Barkai Center rabbis completed a course on Chaplaincy at the Lew Pell Center for Chaplaincy Studies. The rabbis studied under the direction of Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Glass, a certified chaplain at the Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.
The rabbis studied the CPE method (Clinical Pastoral Education) which among other things improved their listening skills so as to assist people in their communities, medical institutions, hospices and senior living residences and especially people at their end of their lives and their families.
One of the highlights of the course was the lecture of Barak Shabot who is a medical clown. He spoke with the rabbis about happiness and laughter as being curative and encouraging to people who have suffered a crisis or who are struggling with depression.
The course also included a component on “The Conversation Project” which involves training on talking about end of life issues with families.
The course was held in partnership with the organization Gisha LeChaim-Lifesdoor and was supported by Rivka Glatt in memory of her husband Rabbi Melvin Glatt, Z’L, as well as by Legacy613 of the Rabbi Dr. Nathanial and Shirley Pollack Memorial Foundation.
