[The First] Tisha b’Av During Coronavirus Season
I don’t know what Tisha b’Av is typically like at the senior living facility where I am presently working, but I suspect that this year’s Tisha b’Av was certainly markedly different than any that had preceded it. In my email to the department heads at the senior living facility atContinue Reading
“Star Wars & Judaism XII: The Rise of Skywalker” Zoom Session This Sunday Evening
The twelfth in a twelve-part Star Wars & Judaism series will be taking place this Sunday evening. Taking place at 8pm over Zoom, “Star Wars & Judaism XII: The Rise of Skywalker“ will incorporate scenes from The Rise of Skywalker. Comparing scenes from The Rise of Skywalker with Biblical andContinue Reading
40th Episode of the Jewish Drinking Podcast
The 40th episode of the Jewish Drinking podcast/video series was published today on the topic of Drinking During The Nine Days. A new aspect of this episode that I had not yet done in any of the previous episodes was to host a live discussion on texts, inviting folks toContinue Reading
Passwords [Chaplaincy Reflection]
Having written previously about technological issues in a broad sense when it comes to the Silent Generation, many of whom make up the generational demographic in senior living facilities, a specific instance of a technological barrier comes in the form of passwords. Yes, passwords – that staple of contemporary adultingContinue Reading
Considering Elders’ Ages in the Thought of Yehudah, son of Tema
In my current position as a chaplain in a senior living facility, I have returned to a familiar text, about which I hadn’t considered a certain section (Avot 5.24): הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר בֶּן חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים לַמִּקְרָא בֶּן עֶשֶׂר לַמִּשְׁנָה בֶּן שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה לַמִּצְוֹת בֶּן חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה לַתַּלְמוּד בֶּן שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵהContinue Reading
“Star Wars & Judaism XI: Solo: A Star Wars Story” Zoom Session This Evening
The eleventh in a twelve-part Star Wars & Judaism series will be taking place this evening. Taking place at 8pm over Zoom, “Star Wars & Judaism XI: Solo: A Star Wars Story” will incorporate scenes from Solo: A Star Wars Story. Comparing scenes from Solo: A Star Wars Story with BiblicalContinue Reading
Lacking Historical Context: Covid-19 Lockdown as the Baseline for Knowing Residents
Generally, Lacking Historical Context Coming Into a New Situation One of the interesting limitations of starting at a senior living facility is meeting residents where they are, without any historical context of their mental health, emotional health, or physical health. True, one could talk to people and gain a familiarityContinue Reading
Using Technology in a Senior Living Facility Under COVID-19 Lockdown
Background Having written previously about the challenges of those in the Silent Generation using wifi-enabled technologies to connect with their loved ones, it was fascinating to have come across an article on using technology in senior living facilities. Introduction to Relevant Article Having previously mentioned that I recently purchased andContinue Reading
A Surprise COVID-19 Case
A Resident’s Inspiration While visiting with one of the residents at the senior living facility at which I work today, he asked me how my job has been, especially starting to work during the lockdown due to the current global pandemic. I said it’s been an interesting time and notContinue Reading
Beginning Chaplaincy Amidst the Covid-19 Lockdown and Its Limitations
Having begun my chaplaincy position at a senior living facility two months ago as of yesterday, it is no small thing to have done so in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown. Senior Living Facilities as Vulnerable and, Therefore, in Greater Need of Protecting As the world is currently inContinue Reading