Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan says that while we don’t know what happens on the ‘other side’ of death, we can prepare for it ‘on this side’ by letting go of attachments and grievances, and respond to death by learning to support the bereaved
In English, we often speak of death as “the other side.” Jewish traditions teach that we, the living, do not know what happens on the other side of death. However, we do know a great deal about this side of death. We can prepare for it by letting go of attachments and grievances, and respond to it by learning to support the bereaved. Through a combination of information and anecdote, Rabbi Laura Kaplan (pictured above) shares Jewish teachings about turning responsibly towards the mystery of death.
Turning responsibly towards death: A Jewish pastoral perspective
Rabbi Laura Kaplan spoke about turning responsibly towards death, from a Jewish pastoral perspective, during a conference called The End of Life: Dying, Suicide, Death at Simon Fraser University’s Vancouver campus on November 3, 2016. She was also a participant in a “praxis panel” (above) that included veterinarian Dr. Jeff Berkshire, Buddhist nun Venerable Yin Kit and counselor Hilda Fernandez.
Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan is Director of Inter-Religious Studies and Professor of Jewish Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. As Rabbi of Or Shalom Synagogue (2005-2014), she accompanied people spiritually at all stages of the life cycle. As Professor of Philosophy at UNC Charlotte (1989-2004), she helped students use philosophy to understand their life narratives.
An accomplished scholar as well as spiritual teacher, Rabbi Kaplan holds a B.A. Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University, a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Education from Claremont Graduate University, Rabbinic Ordination from ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal seminary, and a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction from the Vancouver School of Theology. Her books include Philosophy and Everyday Life (Seven Bridges Press, 2002), and Family Pictures: A Philosopher Explores the Familiar (Open Court Press, 1998). She blogs at www.sophiastreet.com
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Rabbi Kaplan’s image (top) is from the Faith in Canada 150 website
#podcast | @SFUInstituteHum @SGandesha @VIMentalHealth #death #dying #jewish #endoflifecare #pastoral | LISTEN: https://t.co/YhEVCJ673h pic.twitter.com/eABtcYhKJX
— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) February 9, 2017
The End of Life: Dying, Suicide, Death
Academia Panel participants respond to questions and comments at
The End of Life: Dying, Suicide, Death conference at Simon Fraser University’s
Vancouver campus on November 3, 2016
Simon Fraser University’s Institute for the Humanities hosted a conference in November 2016 called The End of Life: Dying, Suicide, Death. The conference was intended to provide space for pondering the complex and agonizing decisions regarding the end of life. Space for such conversations is especially needed given the 2015 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada declaring that the prohibition on physician-assisted dying infringes upon Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the introduction of Bill C-14 which has resulted in debate about who, when and in what circumstances an individual may make such a decision.
Speakers included academics, graduate students and practitioners who spoke from their own particular perspectives: legal, ethical, medical, and spiritual or religious. The presentations also drew upon insights from literature and art, some of humanity’s most treasured resources.
