Healing Together: The Role of Community in Grief
In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, we explore how community support can be a powerful force in navigating loss.
Joining Fartumo Kusow are Rabbi Adam Chalom and Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld, leading voices in Humanistic Judaism, who bring a unique perspective on grief, healing, and the power of collective action. They share insights from their book, Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, offering practical ways communities can provide tangible support beyond thoughts and prayers.
In this episode, we discuss:
🔹 How grief can feel like an identity shift and why community matters.
🔹 The humanist approach to grief—focusing on action, not just words.
🔹 Practical ways individuals and communities can support those in mourning.
🔹 Breaking the silence around grief and creating safe spaces for healing.
About Our Guests:
Rabbi Adam Chalom serves as the North American Dean of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ) and leads Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in Chicago. With degrees from Yale University and the University of Michigan, he was ordained by IISHJ in 2001.
Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld is the leader of Beth Chaverim Humanistic Jewish Community. She holds a Master’s and Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies from Spertus College and was ordained by IISHJ in 2009.
Together, they co-edited Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, a groundbreaking exploration of modern Jewish identity and community support. Their work has been featured on various platforms, including the New Books Network Podcast.
Resources:
📖 Book: Contemporary Humanistic Judaism
📘 Study Guide
🎧 Podcast Interview on New Books Network
🔊 Tune in now for an insightful discussion on how we can build stronger, more compassionate communities for those experiencing grief.
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