In this moving conversation, Rabbi Evey Rothstein has a conversation with Rabbi Anne Brener—Los Angeles psychotherapist, spiritual director, and author of Mourning & Mitzvah: A Guided Journal for Walking the Mourner’s Path Through Grief to Healing. Together, they explore how to navigate the pain of loss, the power of the “ministry of presence,” and ancient Jewish wisdom for supporting one another through life’s most difficult moments.
Drawing on Rabbi Brener’s decades of work with mourners, survivors, and communities in crisis—from Hurricane Katrina to the loss of loved ones—they discuss the sacredness of feeling our emotions fully, the importance of curiosity in the healing process, and the hope that emerges when we are held in compassionate community. You’ll also be guided through a gentle mindfulness meditation to help you reconnect with your body, breath, and inner resilience.
Whether you are grieving, supporting someone in loss, or seeking tools for deeper compassion, this episode offers timeless wisdom, practical guidance, and a reminder that even in the depths of sorrow… healing is possible.