(Courtesy of Stamford Chevra Kadisha) The Elayne and James Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County has received a grant from the Stamford Chevra Kadisha to expand the Kuriansky Family Counseling bereavement support programming for those who might need assistance before, during or after the loss of a loved one.
The first group—a six-week program for five to 10 participants—will be a caregiver support group for those who face the hardships of caring for a loved one who is ill.
Schoke JFS will also be running bereavement support groups at three different times to help accommodate various schedules for community members in need including a weekend, weekday and evening hours group.
Schoke JFS also plans to organize other facilitated programs, including a session for parents to help them speak to their children about a death, and another session on how to pay a shiva call and other helpful traditions related to grieving.
Finally, Schoke JFS will also initiate open facilitated community discussion groups, on any death-related topic, with no specific agenda or objective. These groups will attempt to help individuals discuss the subject of death in a healthy, unfearful and productive way, to help them make the most of their lives.
All of these support groups will begin online as virtual groups, and be moderated by JFS facilitators. Exact dates and times will be assigned in the next few weeks, details of all upcoming sessions will be available at www.ctjfs.org/counseling.
“We are proud to partner with the Stamford Chevra Kadisha on this new community project, and are extremely grateful for their financial support,” said Matt Greenberg, CEO of Schoke JFS.
The Stamford Chevra Kadisha is involved with the preparation and burial of the deceased, in accordance with Jewish law. This involves washing and cleansing the body after death, and dressing the body in simple cotton or linen garments that are identical for each person.
“Many of our community members have been the beneficiaries of our services after the loss of a loved one,” said Michael Feldstein, who is on the board of the Stamford Chevra Kadisha. “We wanted to extend our reach and offer something different, but still related to our mission. We are pleased that we can partner with Schoke JFS to sponsor this important program.”
For more information, please contact Eve Moskowitz, director of Clinical Services, at 203-921-4161 or [email protected].
