18Forty Podcast22 Heinä 2025

Elissa Felder & Sonia Hoffman: How the Jewish Burial Society Cares for the Dead [Loss 2/3]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Elissa Felder and her daughter Sonia Hoffman—both of whom have experienced the loss of a child and serve on a chevra kadisha—about what the Jewish burial society teaches us about confronting death. In this episode we discuss:

How does the process of purifying a dead body work—and how is it possible to purify a dead body at all?
What Kabbalistic practices are performed by chevra kadisha to bring dignity to the body and soul?
How can we “normalize” discussions about grief and death?

Tune in to hear a conversation about how care for the deceased is a “love story” between the Jewish People and God.

Interview begins at 15:31.

Elissa Felder started and actively manages Core’s community of practice for women who serve on a traditional chevrah kadisha. The knowledge she acquired through her work motivated her to write From One Life to the Next Life; The Sacred Passage after Death, a memoir about the loss of her baby son. She is the head of her local chevrah kadisha and speaks widely on this topic.

Sonia Hoffman is a Limmudei Kodesh teacher at Kohelet Yeshiva in Philadelphia. She is a daughter, mother, wife and member of the Bala Cynwyd community. She is also an active member of the Philadelphia Chevra Kadisha, having started during COVID to help with this mitzvah. After the loss of their daughter in 2016, she began speaking about her experience with loss and sharing resources with the community on ways in which we can move forward after tragedy. In addition, Sonia began hosting an annual event in her daughter's memory to bring awareness to the community around the topic of infant loss and relationship with God.

References:

Teshuvot HaRadbaz Volume 3, 985

Torat HaAdam, Introduction

“Passing Through” by David Bashevkin

Berakhot 10a

“Reconciling Opposites: Uncommon Connections in the Halakha of Mourning” by Emanuel Feldman

From One Life to the Next Life; The Sacred Passage after Death by Elissa Felder

The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller

The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief by Maurice Lamm

Gesher Hachaim - The Bridge of Life by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky

Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner's Theology of Meaning by Alon Shalev

For more 18Forty:
NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join
CALL: (212) 582-1840
EMAIL: info@18forty.org
WEBSITE: 18forty.org
IG: @18forty
X: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join here

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(278)

David Bashevkin: ‘We are meant to teach the world how to embrace unchosen identity’ [18 Questions, 40 Mystics]

Ahead of the next episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we invite you to hear David Bashevkin's appearance on 18 Questions, 40 Mystics.What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bas...

26 Touko 1h 28min

Agunah Revisited: How To Avoid High Conflict Divorce

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel and Yona Elishis, who run the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles.We’re also joined by Kes...

19 Touko 1h 20min

Adam Ferziger: Agents of Change [Israel & Diaspora II 4/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Adam Ferziger, a historian of modern Jewish movements, about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism.In this episode we ...

12 Touko 1h 16min

Alana Newhouse: Why is the Whole World Fighting About Zionism? [Israel & Diaspora II 3/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Zionism. In this episode we discuss...

5 Touko 1h 9min

Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4]

This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers ...

28 Huhti 1h 13min

Michael Eisenberg: Iran, USA, Israel: What Comes Next [Israel & Diaspora II 1/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Michael Eisenberg—a venture capitalist and Torah scholar—about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora. In this episode we discuss:...

18 Huhti 1h 15min

When a Parent Becomes Estranged [Divergence VI 4/4]

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunite...

30 Maalis 2h 16min

David & Sydney Magerman: When a Child Makes Aliyah [Divergence VI 3/4]

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to philanthropist David Magerman and his daughter Sydney, wh...

24 Maalis 1h 23min