Tree of Life: Facing Illness

An information and resource guide about illness and healing through the lens of Jewish wisdom to support congregants and community members.

When a loved one or friend falls ill, we often feel powerless to help. We sit with them, we hold their hand, we help with their medications, but we also wonder whether we are doing enough. This guide explores a spiritual and community-based approach to healing. It includes liturgy, comforting readings, community resources, and practical suggestions for visiting an ill loved one or friend, all based on Jewish tradition.

Written by Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, who completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore and over 25 years' experience as a congregational rabbi. She is rabbi of Beth Chai in Bethesda, Maryland.

This 8-page pamphlet, sold in packs of 10, includes a connection to Jewish texts, resources from both within and outside the Jewish community, and a ritual—such as a blessing or meditation—to offer ongoing support and coping mechanisms. (The 5 x 7” pamphlets are designed to fit existing racks)

Tree of Life is a series of pastoral care pamphlets spanning a wide range of social and emotional topics to offer information, resources, and support to congregants.

People come into a synagogue and other Jewish institutions with a variety of needs. It can be difficult for the clergy and other leaders to be able to address all the demands of their community. These pamphlets give you outreach tools to support congregants who wish to explore what may be stigmatized issues in a comforting, spiritual, and information-based way that can also open a pathway to deeper conversation.

Written by rabbis and/or experts on the subjects, each pamphlet includes a connection to Jewish texts, resources from both within and outside the Jewish community, and a ritual—such as a blessing or meditation—to offer ongoing support and coping mechanisms.

Topics include

• Coping With Depression and Anxiety
• When a Loved One Dies
• Caring for Your Elderly Parents
• Jewish Views of the Afterlife
• Understanding Gender Diversity
• Responding to Antisemitism
• Divorce
• Facing Illness: Healing the Spirit
• Fertility and Pregnancy Loss
• When a Family Member Comes Out as LGBTQIA+
• …and more.

Pamphlets are 8 pages long and are sold in packs of 10. In a convenient 5 x 7 inch format , the pamphlets are easy to hold and designed to fit in existing racks.