Lesson 1: DEMYSTIFYING DEATH: ADDRESSING DEATH ANXIETY

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to identify how death anxiety is rooted in a fear of reaching the end of one’s life without leaving a meaningful legacy. Counselors will be equipped to educate those with a fear of death of a Jewish culturally informed view of the purpose of life and symbolic immortality.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To define and discuss perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients near end of life overcome death anxiety and help their families build a foundation for a healthy bereavement.
2. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to death and end of life to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish gravely ill patients and their families.

 

Lesson 2: TAKING LEAVE: PREPARING A PEACEFUL END OF LIFE

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to coach individuals and family members facing the end of life on how to reduce fear and plan more meaningful, more peaceful last days for both. It is also helpful for survivors in establishing a foundation for a reconciliation of their loss.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To learn to identify the fears and emotions of gravely ill patients (and their family) when facing impending death.
2. To define and discuss Jewish perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients near end of life overcome anxiety and help their families build a foundation for a healthy bereavement.
3. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to the time of death to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish gravely ill patients and their families.

 

Lesson 3: THE MOURNING AFTER: HELPING THE BEREAVED

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able assess the griever’s state on both tracks of the Two Track Model of Bereavement: their psychosocial function and the nature of their relationship with the deceased. They will be able to identify the Jewish mourning rituals that help prevent and/or address problems on both tracks.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To define and discuss perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients through a healthy bereavement process. 2. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to death and afterlife to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish patients in bereavement.

Lesson 4: WHERE WE GO: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE BELIEF IN AN AFTERLIFE

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to help Jewish clients cope with death anxiety and/or reconcile the death of a loved one by harnessing Jewish beliefs that may be a source of comfort.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To learn to identify the fears and emotions of gravely ill patients (and their family) when facing death. 2. To define and discuss Jewish perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients near end of life overcome death anxiety and help their families build a foundation for a healthy bereavement. 3. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to death and end of life to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish gravely ill patients and their families.

 

Lesson 5: WHERE WE GO AGAIN: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE BELIEF IN REINCARNATION

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to help Jewish clients to harness their spiritual beliefs to find an overarching purpose and meaning in their life to achieve their goals and strengthen resilience in the face of loss or crisis.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To define and discuss Jewish perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients and their families facing a health crisis, strengthen resilience and find purpose in their suffering. 2. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to death and end of life to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish gravely ill patients and their families.

 

Lesson 6: LIFE IS SHORT(ISH): MORTALITY LEGACY AWARENESS AND LIVING WITH PURPOSE

Lesson Objective for Psychologists:

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to harness Mortality Salience to help clients be more productive and find meaning in every moment of life.

 

Lesson Objectives for Physicians:

1. To learn to identify the fears and emotions of gravely ill patients (and their family) when facing death. 2. To define and discuss perspectives and psychological methods that can help patients overcome death anxiety to find meaning and purpose in the time they have left. 3. To identify Jewish spiritual beliefs related to death and end of life to improve cultural sensitivity in communication with Jewish gravely ill patients and their families.