2010 Annual Conference, The Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council

Highlights from the 23rd ANNUAL BIKUR CHOLIM CONFERENCE
The Joyful Heart: Bikur Cholim Tools to Uplift the Spirit

Sunday, November 14, 2010
UJA-Federation of New York
“It keeps on getting better.”

“This year’s conference was uplifting from the moment it started, and became more so with each subsequent speaker. The workshop choices were varied and useful. I am filled with inspiration and a renewed desire to continue with Bikur Cholim thanks to the encouraging nature of your whole program”

Over 200 participants from NY and around the country enjoyed:

THREE Dynamic Keynote Addresses
15 Amazing Workshops
Photo Album (Is your picture in here? Copy and upload it to your synagogue website, send to your friends and family, spread the word and promote the mitzvah of bikur cholim! If you don’t see your picture here but think we’ve got one of you, give us a call!)

Morning Keynote Address:
by Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard, Ph.D. Director of Organizational Development, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

Highlights:
Rabbi Blanchard shared poignant narratives that illuminated our understanding of and appreciation for our shared human condition. He discussed how to sensitively approach people in their (our) states of vulnerability and isolation and how engaging in this mitzvah consequently deepens our own humanity and yields inherent joy.

Participant Feedback:
• A deeply human person. Just listening to him for that few minutes inspired me to dig more deeply into life and experience [life] more profoundly... I truly could have and would have listened to him all day.
• Rabbi Blanchard was superb. He talked about connecting and joy in ways that had so much personal meaning for me. Great stories [too].
• Wonderful keynote addressing the spiritual tools that BC volunteers need to bring to their visits to sick people.

Read questions and answers not covered in the morning Q&A session.

Midday Keynotes:

Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, Chair Religious Affairs Committee at Pratt Institute; Rabbi Long Island College Hospital, NY

David Jacobson, President, Humor Horizons, Inc., Manager Social Work Department, University Medical Center, Arizona

Highlights:
The relationship between Jews and humor in coping with adversity; stories that entertain while educating; learn the 7 Habits of Highly Humorous People; as well as appropriate use of humor.

Participant Feedback:
• Clever, funny and enlightening in teaching the importance of humor in Bikur Cholim work.
• Did not stop laughing and of course understood how clearly humor affects us, and can help us in our work. Terrifically entertaining.
• Wow! Both speakers brought to light the “sincere” use of humor and its impact on a patient - when to employ this medium and its importance!

Read the poem “You’re Never Too Old” that David shared.

All Three Keynote Presentations available on DVD!
If you could not attend the conference, or even if you did, capture the inspiration and share it with those you care about. Watch with family, friends, and bring it your synagogue. Order your DVD video of the keynote presentations which includes: Rabbi Blanchard, Rabbi Weinstein, and Mr. Jacobson.

“I walked away feeling stronger and revived.”
“Informative,” “On target,” “Inspirational”
“Excellent Excellent Excellent”

The DVD runs approximately 2 hours. Cost: $10.
To order, contact: (212) 632-4500 or

2010 Conference Workshops:

“Thanks for a wonderful Bikur Cholim Conference. Everything was first class. The speakers were terrific and it was hard to pick sessions to attend because they were all so enticing”

“I am arranging to join a Bikur Cholim group as a result of the conference.”

MORNING WORKSHOPS 10:30-12:00

Essential Visiting Skills: The How To’s
Rosa Roberts, LCSW, Consultant, JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs
Practical skills to help you approach visiting people in a variety of settings with confidence; what makes a visit successful, how to begin and end a visit, visiting do’s and don’ts, what to say and not to say, issues of boundaries and confidentiality.
Constructing an Effective Synagogue Visiting Program
Dorrie Berkowitz, Forest Hills Jewish Center; Rachel Pill, LCSW, Director of Community Relations, Lev Leytzan; Harriet Feiner, LCSW, JBFCS Consultant
What inspires and prepares us for the task of organizing a group? What are key components of an effective program? Learn and share with others doing the work. Address common challenges and practical steps to starting or growing a group.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Mitzvah Clowning 101- For Teens and Adults
Daniel Rothner, Founder and Director, Areyvut Inc.
Learn the basics of Mitzvah Clowning and appreciate the power of this mitzvah. Includes: interacting with older adults, people with special needs and patients who are hospitalized; applying clown makeup; using balloon animals, and more.
Filling in the Gaps — Visiting with Seniors
Alan Magill, Director of Programming, Ateret Avot
What are "meaningful interactions" with people with dementia and age-related memory loss? Sharpen your listening skills and communication techniques. Discover the joy in connecting with those who may be hard to reach.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Lessons from the Chaplaincy on Prayer
Rabbi Daniel Coleman, BCC, Staff Chaplain, Department of Pastoral Care & Education, North Shore University Hospital, LI
How do you pray and what do you pray for with someone who is ill? Craft custom-made prayers and discover the art of prayer. Explore the possibility of offering unstructured prayers spoken spontaneously as you react, engage, and respond to individuals you encounter.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Shame and Illness: How Does the Visitor Respond?
Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW, Rabbinic Director, JBFCS
Shame is a universal emotion. For those challenged by illness or disability, shame may feed isolation, depression, rage and/or suffering. We will look at some clinical and Jewish spiritual understandings of shame and appropriate ways to respond in the context of bikur cholim.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Comics and Adventures in Bikur Cholim
Robert Lebowitz, LMSW, Published Cartoonist and Illustrator
Learn about bikur cholim through drawing your own cartoons and gain skills in using cartooning to teach others about this mitzvah. For parents, teachers and kids-at-heart. No art background needed.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Honoring Ourselves and Honoring Our Work
Ruth Rosenblum, LCSW, Westchester Jewish Community Services, Partners in Caring Program; Psychotherapist, Certified Focusing Trainer
Gain tools for self care, insight and self-awareness through Jewish meditation, mindfulness, and guided imagery. Enhance your effectiveness as a visitor.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS 1:45-3:15

Living (the) Text
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, Professor of Talmud and Jewish Studies Yeshiva University; Director of Rabbinic Research at YU’s Center for the Jewish Future; Rabbi, Etz Chaim of Teaneck
Journey through a broad exploration of Jewish texts on bikur cholim (1 C — 21 C). Learn the sources for the guidelines of a visit. Gain practical insight into bikur cholim through its roots in chesed (loving kindness) and learn about Judaism’s emphasis on the development of a chesed personality and caring community. Text based. No previous background needed.
Essential Visiting Skills: The How To’s
Rabbi Simeon Schreiber, Senior Staff Rabbi, Chaplain, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Fl; Chaplain Bal Harbour Police Department, FL
Learn essential skills for visiting the sick in the hospital and in visiting homebound seniors. Increase your comfort with this mitzvah as you learn what makes a visit successful, how to begin and end a visit, visiting do’s and don’ts, what to say and not to say, issues of boundaries and confidentiality.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Using the Telephone for Visiting
Sandra Cohen, LCSW, Director, JBFCS CheeRing
From your cell, work, or home phone you can bring comfort and support and make a difference in someone’s life. Learn how to make an effective visit to a homebound person. "What do I say?" "What if there’s silence?" "How will I respond to…?" and more.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Visiting with Someone at End of Life
Amy Levine, LCSW, Director, JBFCS Doula to Accompany and Comfort; Maxine Skurka, LMSW, Senior Social Worker
"What do I say?" "What can I do?" "What if they can’t speak?" Learning skills and understanding your role will help you handle your own fears, stay present, and offer valuable support to those who are seriously ill; learn spiritual resources to create healing and connection.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
In Pursuit of Happiness
Rabbi Jay Yaacov Schwartz, MA, LMSW, Director, Jewish Family Wellness Center, LI
What is happiness and joy? Is it a goal or an outcome? Inborn or acquired? Learn what Judaism teaches us about these questions and on maintaining joy in the face of adversity as an individual in crisis or as a caregiver. A perspective based on classic Rabbinic Sources and Chasidic texts.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Fun, Games and the Art of Play [read more about the profound work Aviya does]
Aviya Feuer, B.Ed. Director, Medical Clowning and Community Theater
Techniques from theater and play, including games, and creative activities that draw on the visitees imagination and environment can be used to brighten someone’s routine and bring them moments of respite and joy. Methods taught include introducing an activity and gaining participation.
[Download Workshop Handout PDF]
Visiting Skills for Teens: Our Visions, Our Voices, Our Visits
Jonathan Katz, LCSW, Director, Jewish Community Programs, JBFCS; Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, Chair of Religious Affairs Committee at Pratt Institute, NY; Rabbi, Long Island College Hospital, NY
Teens make a difference in the lives of people they visit. Have fun while learning practical skills to visit with confidence and to make a successful visit. Learn how to begin and end a visit, what to say and not to say, visiting do’s and don’ts, and more. Bring your friends.AM2.pdf

Spreading the Joy — More Resources:

We showed the bikur cholim ‘trilogy of fun resources’ at lunchtime. Three fun ideas of things you can bring with you on a visit (or that you can use to enhance your visiting group, or just for fun):

"Good Company," the Bikur Cholim Comic book
The Bikur Cholim Joke Book
"The Sunshine Book" the newest addition to our publications, a fun book of games and puzzles.

See all of our Video/Print resources.

Participants were treated to a special guest appearance by Murray Nossel, Director of Turn to Me, our bikur cholim documentary.

Turn to Me was also shown again to a full crowd at the close of the conference. If you don’t already own it, learn more about Turn to Me.

Did you enjoy the conference?
Were you unable to attend but want to share in the mitzvah?

Your donation supports the Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council in offering technical assistance and training to start and sustain Bikur Cholim programs. The Council publishes training manuals, a Directory of Bikur Cholim programs, a newsletter, a variety of books and pamphlets, maintains a website with educational resources and produced a documentary film on bikur cholim. We sponsor an annual conference to provide an opportunity for those interested in bikur cholim to learn valuable skills and to network with others. All contributions make a difference.

Thank you to our executive committee members who contributed to the success of this day. Special thanks to: Barbara Trainin Blank, Robyn Blumner, Malcolm Frouman, Chava Rose, Vicki Rosenstreich, Shoshana Shinnar.

©2011 Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council
135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor · New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-4730 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
[JBFCS site] [Jewish Connections Programs]