The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute’s 2015 fall course examines the soul and its journey through ancient and eye-opening Talmudic teachings.
“There’s a significant amount of confusion in the Jewish community about what happens to us when we die,” explains Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, the lead editor for the course from JLI’s headquarters in New York. “Many ideas that originate in other religions and belief systems have been popularized in the media and are taken for granted by unassuming Jews. In Journey of the Soul, we clear up these misconceptions and introduce an authentically Jewish approach which is both surprising and refreshing.”
Journey of the Soul provides spiritual insight into the soul’s journey through life, death, and beyond, as well as ancient Jewish wisdom that sheds light on the philosophical, emotional, and practical aspects of coping with death and mourning.
“Science knows the very little about the soul and what happens to it post mortem,” said Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, JLI instructor at Chabad of West Orange. “It’s about what is truly valuable and meaningful in life which is relevant to everyone, and many have expressed their curiosity to learn about the topic, so we’re expecting a good turnout.”
Professor Sheldon Solomon of Skidmore College who co-authored the book The Worm at the Core: On the role of Death in Life commented about the JLI course: “This course strikes me as a very fine juxtaposition of ancient theological wisdom with contemporary empirical science. My sense is that this will be an interesting and rewarding educational and personal experience.” Similar sentiments were expressed by other experts in the field, including Professor Jeff Greenberg of University of Arizona; Dr. Casey Skvorc from the National Institutes of Health; Pamela Blair, co-author of I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye; and Bianca Nogrady, author of The End: The Human Experience of Death and others.
The course is being offered in joint sponsorship with the Washington School of Psychiatry, enabling medical and mental health professionals to earn up to 7.5 AMA, APA, CBBS, and ASWB continuing education credits for their participation.
Like all previous JLI programs, Journey of the Soul is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.
Rabbi Kasowitz will conduct the six course sessions beginning Monday, October 26, 7:30pm, at Chabad of West Orange, 401 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. Interested students may call 973-325-6311 or visit www.chabadwestorange.com/jli for registration and other course-related information. JLI courses are presented in West Orange in conjunction with Chabad of West Orange, an affiliate of the Lubavitch Center of Essex County and the Rabbinical College of America.
