The Art of Living and Dying: Looking Through a Jewish Lens

In a culture that often avoids conversations about death, we rarely speak honestly about what it means to die and to live. Jewish wisdom invites us to see death as a natural part of life, emphasizing compassion for the dying, respect for the dead, and comfort for those who mourn.  

Guided by a rabbi and an end-of-life doula, this conversation explores how Jewish values reflect on ways to be cared for at the end of our lives and caring for those we love. While examining the means by which Jewish teachings inform personal choices, this talk is an opportunity to reflect on rituals that feel personally meaningful.  

We’ll delve into chesed (lovingkindness), expressed through advance care planning, easing the burden on loved ones; zikaron (remembrance), which shapes our legacy; and ethical wills, which pass spiritual, moral, and personal values l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation).  

Traditions such as bikkur cholim (visiting the sick), kavod habriyot (honoring human dignity), and viddui (a prayer of reflection, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love) offer meaningful guidance for advance care planning, end-of-life decision-making, and rituals before and after death. 

Registration is required. Space is limited.  

Sorry, we are not able to accept walk ins for this event.

Rabbi Batshir Torchio is a ritual and spiritual practitioner who has been engaging with folks for lifecycle events and learning. She was ordained at AJRCA in Los Angeles, where she learned with rabbis and scholars from across the broad spectrum of Jewish movements. Rabbi Batshir is moved by the translation and ownership of ancient ritual into contemporary meaning; to “make the old new, and the new, holy” (Rav Kook). In addition to her role as Senior Jewish Educator at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, Rabbi Batshir also guides tours through Israel and Poland, and is a life-cycle officiant, both locally and abroad. 

Donna Edwards Neumark, PhD, RN 

After decades of working as an oncology nurse, Donna began private practice as an End-of-Life Doula.  Her philosophy of care is rooted in helping people experience a meaningful life as they are facing death and draws on her years of experience caring for those with serious illness and their loved ones. Donna is deeply interested in helping people at all stages of life become more comfortable talking about death, encouraging intergenerational conversations about values-based decision-making and advance directives, and supporting others through loss, post-death rituals, grief, and bereavement. She grew up in suburban Milwaukee in a traditional Jewish family and is also influenced by life-long involvement in Habonim. She enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, looking at the ocean, playing Scrabble, Mah Jong and pickleball, and spending time with her family and her cats.