One of Richmond’s Jewish congregations is offering an online course which purports to lend a “fresh look at life, death and the rest.”
Starting Wednesday Feb. 3 or Thursday Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Chabad Richmond will offer Journey of the Soul: A fresh look at life, death and the rest — in peace.
The course is a six-session, online zoom event from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) that answers the question every self-reflective person has asked: What happens when we die?
“Participants will embark on a journey that will enlighten them and put them at ease with the topics of life and the afterlife,” said Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman, director of Chabad Richmond and local JLI instructor.
“Practical and powerful, thoughtful and relatable, Journey of the Soul teaches a Jewish perspective on life, that begins before birth and lasts well after a person’s passing.”
Death, added Baitelman, is both “mysterious and inevitable. Understanding death as a continuation of life reveals the holiness of life, while putting everything in a dramatically new context.
“The soul is on one long journey that is greater than each particular chapter.”
According to Baitelman, Journey of the Soul considers what happens to the soul at birth and again at death.
It ponders whether there is a better place after this one; whether our loved ones continue to connect with us; the Jewish understanding of reincarnation; and how to relate to an afterlife even if we’re not spiritual.
Journey of the Soul is designed to appeal to people at all levels of knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. Open to the public.
It will be offered on Wednesdays or Thursdays via Zoom. Sign in information will be provided at the time of registration. To register and for more information call 604-277-6427 or visit www.ChabadRichmond.com/JLI. Special reduced cost is $40 per person and includes a textbook. Classes are 1 ½ hours long.
“The discounted cost of $40 per person takes into account COVID-19, and the fact that so many people have faced illness, job loss, reduced incomes, and other challenges,” explained Baitelman.
“While this is far below the regular price of the course, we ask you to please consider adding a donation of any size to help defray the course costs, if you are able to. And feel free to try the first class for free with no commitment.”
Doctors and most mental health professionals can earn CME or continuing education credit by attending this course. Visit https://myjli.com/continuingeducation for more information and a complete accreditation statement.
