A Thanksgiving Support Group; Offering Thanks When We Feel at a Loss

A Thanksgiving Support Group; Offering Thanks When We Feel at a Loss — Please join us as we explore the challenge of facing the “American Civic Pesach” apart from our loved ones with Rabbi Sandra Berliner.

This Thanksgiving will be different for all of us because of this pandemic. The iconic gatherings to which we’ve become accustomed, sharing the bounty of the harvest — both the physical joys of food and drink as well as the spiritual fruits of our relationships — will be smaller, if even held at all. How do we meet this new reality without getting overwhelmed? 

We will explore and acknowledge the challenges facing us this year with the real life impacts of COVID-19 and the feelings of loss that we cannot avoid. Perhaps, this year we may be facing the harsh reality of a direct loss of someone near and dear to us who succumbed to this disease or has been diminished by it. How do we express thanks (Modeh Ani L’fanekha . . ) when we do not feel God’s blessings? We will share our grief and anxieties and receive healing words from our neighbor as we are reminded to be conscious of what we still have and remain hopeful of what our future holds. 

Though this is NOT therapy, we will insist that it remain a confidential setting as we honor our humanity and our privacy. And, of course, we will endeavor to make it a non-judgmental and supportive space where everyone may be heard and acknowledged. as best as possible in our limited time. Thank you for bringing all of yourself, both wounded and healer, to this special experience. 

We thank Rabbi Fox for his recognizing this need as well as for organizing and supporting this response. 

Though this event is free and open to the community, if you plan to join us, you must register by Tuesday, November 24, 2020, by 6:30 PM by using this Google form:
https://bit.ly/2UImNTT

After you register for the event, you will receive an acknowledgment.  You will then receive the invitation link (prior to Tuesday evening) to attend the program that begins at 7:30 p.m.  

If it is easier for you, you may also register by Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. by contacting the Office at office@seashul.org or via phone at (609) 266-0403 so that we can plan our preparations accordingly, including sending you the Zoom invitation.

More about Rabbi Sandra Berliner, MSW: 

Rabbi Sandra Rosenthal Berliner presently serves as the Rabbi/chaplain for Federation Housing Inc. independent senior living apartments and KleinLife Senior Adult Department in Philadelphia. She also serves as service coordinator for Federation Housing and is a Certified Elder Service Coordinator from Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority and Indiana University, Indiana, PA. 

She also serves on the Spiritual Care Coalition of the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging and has been presenter at several of their Clergy Conferences. In addition, Rabbi Berliner serves on the Cultural Diversity Commission of the Pennsylvania Department on aging.

Rabbi Berliner directed Yedid Nefesh, the Jewish Hospice Program of Philadelphia for 12 years, as well as serving Congregation Temple Menorah Kenesseth Chai in Northeast Philadelphia.

She is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College where she received her Rabbinical Ordination and a Masters of Hebrew Letters. She has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from RRC. Rabbi Berliner received a Masters degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and her Bachelors degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Rabbi Berliner is certified as a Jewish Chaplain by the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and is a past-President and founding member of that organization. At last year’s annual convention, Rabbi Berliner will be honored with the award for outstanding service.

Rabbi Berliner has published many articles for the Philadelphia Jewish press and consults on areas of Jewish healing, especially as it relates to aging and end of life issues.
 
Rabbi Berliner is married to Roy Berliner and is blessed with 3 sons Benjamin, Jonathan and Jacob, 2 daughters in law, Ben’s wife Imelda and Jake’s wife Ece, and two beautiful grandsons, Ben and Imelda’s sons: Gabriel Chaim Emmanuel Lev.