Chumi FriedmanDirector of HUG, a division of A Time for those who have experienced perinatal or infant loss ·       My sister-in-law had a stillborn. The one-year mark is coming up. Should I say something to her? ·       My brother lost an eleven-year-old son. But he was very special-needs. His bar mitzvah is coming up; they wouldn’t have made a real celebration anyway. Should I say something? ·       Does it make sense that my sister-in-law doesn’t want to talk about her loss while my brother-in-law wants to talk nonstop? I thought men are more reticent. ·       Is it better to say something cliché or just to say nothing? These questions and more are posed to Mrs. Chumi Friedman all the time. There is no “one-answer-fits-all” here. She doesn’t know the person you are wondering about. But you do. Come listen and hopefully gain some valuable insights.    https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Rabbi Yehuda Kranczer was the most giving, selfless person, a ba’al chesed who would do anything for anybody. Tragically, one morning he was found bent over a sefer in shul – without a pulse. The close-knit Detroit community was devastated by the loss. Rabbi Kranczer had been a bulwark of support to so many people. His brother Rabbi Meir Kranczer was called to the scene. His other siblings Mr. Mordechai Kranczer and Mrs. Miriam Getter were going about their regular daily routines when they received the life-transforming phone call that their brother had died. This podcast doesn’t only talk about their experiences and their growth. The conversation with the Kranczer siblings also touches on the important topics of Olam Hazeh, Olam Habah and the coming of Mashiach. I felt honored to meet and speak with this special family. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Mrs. Ruchi Rosenfeld, Director of Kanfei Yonah and author of Comfort, Courage and Clarity Without warning, Mrs. Ruchi Rosenfeld was thrust into the world of terminal illness and death. In rapid succession she watched as her father, her father-in-law and her mother fell ill and then passed away. For three years straight, her household was in aveilus. The pain she felt during that time was raw and deep.  But after the years of mourning, she was determined to do her best for the neshamos of the niftarim. She set a powerful example of what can and should be done l’ilui nishmas.  A powerhouse who sees a need and tries to fill it, Ruchy is someone who channeled her pain into many worthy causes. Today she is an active bikur cholim volunteer and director of Kanfei Yonah, an organization that assists families in which a parent is struggling with mental illness or extreme emotional distress. She also co-authored with me the book Comfort, Courage and Clarity, which offers support to adults who have lost a parent. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/   https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

We were five siblings. We are now three. Our sister and brother died.  So did our parents. We traveled the journey of loss together. But we have each taken different paths to healing. Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, Founder and Global Director of Kids Kicking Cancer and Clinical Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been close to our family for years and continues to be supportive to all of us. On this podcast Rabbi Goldberg becomes the moderator as he interviews me together with my two sisters, Penina Flagler and Naomi Engel.  Come listen to three sisters who shared a journey but have each forged their own paths. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Mrs. Zissy Muller She woke up one night and heard heavy rain outside her window. In a state of panic, she called her father and asked, “Where are the shovels?  It’s raining. My child is cold. We must go dig him out of his grave.” Meet Zissy Muller. No, she isn’t crazy. She is a mother who lost her child.  When her beloved son died completely unexpectedly, she was thrust into a brand-new world of pain that was so intense, it felt as if she was being burned by a blazing flame.  Continuing with life seemed so impossible – and also, so wrong. How could she go on when her child would never grow up? Although she couldn’t dig her son out of his grave, she dug and dug internally to get to a place of acceptance and serenity. She wanted to be a happy person despite her pain. Zissy says it as it is. She offers a wealth of guidance in how to grow from pain. And yes, her heart still feels the burning pain at times; never is there a day that she doesn’t think about her son. But the fire has died down to flickering sparks, which flare up on occasion. This podcast offers chizzuk to those that lost a child and deep insight into what parents might experience after losing a child. Even many years after the loss.https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Some of the podcasts that receive the most feedback are those that delve into complex relationships. It might seem that if a relationship is challenging or even painful, losing a loved one within that dynamic wouldn't be as difficult or would provide a measure of relief. However, more often than not, that assumption doesn't hold true. In fact, the loss of a loved one within a difficult relationship can be even harder to navigate than when someone is in a typical relationship. Shira had complicated relationships with much of her family. But her father was always her supporter and cheerleader. The news of his illness was completely devastating for her, and it made the dynamics with her siblings more complicated than ever. Sometimes she felt as if they made decisions about her father’s treatment just to spite her. It was so hard and so hurtful. After his petirah she sat shivah by herself, without her family.  Now she holds onto the memories of the special moments she had with her father – the one thing that no one can take away from her. Grief hurts. But as crazy as it sounds, my hope is that the only kind of grief anyone should ever experience is grief from losing someone within a normal, beautiful relationship. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Some of the podcasts that receive the most feedback are those that delve into complex relationships. It might seem that if a relationship is challenging or even painful, losing a loved one within that dynamic wouldn't be as difficult or would provide a measure of relief. However, more often than not, that assumption doesn't hold true. In fact, the loss of a loved one within a difficult relationship can be even harder to navigate than when someone is in a typical relationship. Shira had complicated relationships with much of her family. But her father was always her supporter and cheerleader. The news of his illness was completely devastating for her, and it made the dynamics with her siblings more complicated than ever. Sometimes she felt as if they made decisions about her father’s treatment just to spite her. It was so hard and so hurtful. After his petirah she sat shivah by herself, without her family.  Now she holds onto the memories of the special moments she had with her father – the one thing that no one can take away from her. Grief hurts. But as crazy as it sounds, my hope is that the only kind of grief anyone should ever experience is grief from losing someone within a normal, beautiful relationship. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Rabbi Shmuel Kohen, Therapist and Director of Shloimy’s Club When people go through a tough nisayon, it isn’t uncommon to feel angry at Hashem. A person might shut down or feel numb, and they may even feel unable to daven. This can cause a lot of inner turmoil. Where is my emunah? Do I not believe in Hashem? From the time we are young we are taught that everything that happens is from Hashem, so if I’m thinking this way, I must be a terrible person. Or not. You may just be a person who went through a very painful experience. As humans we might feel these emotions and condemn ourselves when we do.  Rabbi Kohn so clearly explains how feeling anger and pain or asking questions of Hashem doesn’t mean you don’t believe. There is room for both.  You are not an apikores just because you have these questions.  Rabbi Kohn explores this concept so beautifully from therapeutic and hashkafic perspectives. Come listen and gain clarity and insight.   https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Rabbi Shmuel Kohn, Therapist and Director of Shloimy’s Club When people go through a tough nisayon, it isn’t uncommon to feel angry at Hashem. A person might shut down or feel numb, and they may even feel unable to daven. This can cause a lot of inner turmoil. Where is my emunah? Do I not believe in Hashem? From the time we are young we are taught that everything that happens is from Hashem, so if I’m thinking this way, I must be a terrible person. Or not. You may just be a person who went through a very painful experience. As humans we might feel these emotions and condemn ourselves when we do.  Rabbi Kohn so clearly explains how feeling anger and pain or asking questions of Hashem doesn’t mean you don’t believe. There is room for both.  You are not an apikores just because you have these questions.  Rabbi Kohn explores this concept so beautifully from therapeutic and hashkafic perspectives. Come listen and gain clarity and insight.   https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/

Mrs. Robin Meyerson, West Coast Director of NASCK (National Association of Chevrah Kadisha)Mrs. Robin Meyerson has a passion, and she passionately shares it. That passion is to help prevent cremation. She exhorts her listeners: “As Jews, we are all one, so when one Jew is being cremated, it affects all of us. We must stop this from happening.” She repeats so many times that she is available 24/6 to help save a Jew from being cremated.  Robin laments that there are so many misconceptions about cremation versus burial. Many people think cremation is cheaper or better for the environment. One person shared that she was scared to be buried because she doesn’t like bugs! Robin clearly explains the fallacy of such thinking. She personally gets involved and does whatever she can to bring fellow Jews to proper kevurah.  What does this have to do with you? There are many frum people who have non-frum relatives. And that is why this podcast is so important.  Robin’s message is aimed at the frum community. Do you have a non-frum relative, neighbor or friend? Talk to them about kevuras Yisrael now, when they are still living; once they have passed on, their post-death plans will be very difficult to change.  Are you scared to touch upon this topic or unsure about how to broach it? Robin shares her cell number twice on this podcast. She is waiting to support you through this vital conversation. https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-a-book-for-teens-who-have-lost-a-parent/ https://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/product/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-my-friends/