Pastoral Care

Central Cares About Our Members

Our clergy care about you. We want to know what is happening in your life. Let us know how we can support you and celebrate with you. Our clergy are committed to providing pastoral guidance and support through the joys and struggles of life’s journey. Members should share with us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (212) 838-5122 x1000.

Support Groups

Central Synagogue provides pastoral counseling in small, confidential group settings for members of the community who are struggling with a loved one’s illness or death of a spouse. For information about when and where these groups meet, contact Rabbi Lori Koffman.

Caregiver Support Groups

September through June: once a month on Thursdays from 12:00-1:30 pm, once a month on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Caring for a sick loved one can be fraught, difficult, and exhausting. Central offers two different monthly facilitated support groups (one that meets in the evening and one that meets at lunch) where caregivers share with one another to provide support and advice. For more information, please contact Rabbi Lori Koffman at 212-838-5122 ext. 1009 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Bereavement Support Groups

Each of us mourns the death of a loved one differently. While some people cope with grief by themselves or with a therapist, others may find comfort in sharing the pain, anger, depression or other emotions they feel in a facilitated group setting.

Details:
For those who have suffered the loss of a spouse or partner, we offer a monthly spousal bereavement group once a month on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:30 pm, September through June.

For those who have suffered the loss of a child at any age, we offer a monthly parent bereavement group once a month on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:00 pm, September through June.

For more information, please contact Rabbi Lori Koffman at 212-838-5122 ext. 1009 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

What Matters: Caring Conversations at the End of Life

Central Synagogue now offers its members confidential conversations about end of life planning with trained facilitators. Even for those who already have a health care proxy, these conversations can help individuals and families explore this difficult and often avoided subject. Being able to communicate one’s choices, which reflect personal values, makes it possible for the family to respect and honor those choices at the end of life and focus on being present for their loved one. Having these conversations at Central Synagogue enables us to explore this issue in the context of Jewish values and wisdom. For more information, please contact Rabbi Lori Koffman at 212-838-5122 ext. 1009 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Iconic Cartoonist Roz Chast Discusses “What Matters”

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: Talking About “What Matters” »

Rabbi Peter Rubinstein: Caring Conversations, Facing our Mortality »

Visiting Homebound Members

Are you a member who is unable to leave your home? Do you know a member of the congregation like this? We have a corps of volunteers who would like to pay a visit. To request a visit, contact Jackie Pykon, LCSW. Please note that we do not currently have a need for volunteer visitors.

Addressing Domestic and Family Violence

If you know of someone who is struggling with domestic or family violence, Central Synagogue recommends they contact the Jewish Board for assistance. Click here to learn more.