About
Cancer is so much more than a physical experience. It is an emotional experience, and for many, a spiritual experience. Sharsheret has been committed to providing confidential, free psychosocial spiritual support to help those impacted by breast cancer, or ovarian cancer, for almost 25 years.
With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, and one in forty people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent at heightened risk for an array of cancers, it is critically important that community leaders are also able to provide impacted community members with appropriate emotional and spiritual support.
Sharsheret’s Global Health Leadership Training Institute was founded in 2021 with the generous support of Micah Philanthropies to provide in-depth training to rabbis and other clergy, Jewish professionals, and lay leaders to ensure sensitive, appropriate support is available to community members in need as they navigate a cancer experience.
Each training cohort covers topics such as an introduction to understanding cancer, where being Jewish might intersect with a cancer diagnosis, how cultural nuances can impact diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, spiritual concerns, and the creation of caring community and how that impacts both healing and the community-at-large.
Trainings are customized to meet the distinct needs of each organization.
Those who complete the training will receive a certificate indicating expertise in the needs of those facing breast or ovarian cancer.
For more information about this program, read this recent article published by JTA.
Resources
While each cohort receives resources specific to their needs and their community roles, below are some sample resources prepared by Sharsheret, and some created by past cohort members.
Each cohort has their own password-protected site with the wide array of videos, articles, and other resources used during their training. Additionally, new resources are added as necessary. The resources are accessible during, and after, the training.
Helpful Hints for Friends and Family
Suggestions for clergy, community leaders, and members to support someone impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
Halacha and Prophylactic Surgery, Healing and Preventative Medicine
An exploration of Jewish law’s impact on cancer-related medical decisions, created in collaboration with Nishmat.
Breast Cancer Cheat Sheet
A glossary to help caregivers and others providing physical and emotional support understand the breast cancer experience.
Mikvah Use and Cancer
Guidance surrounding the many issues related to immersion during and after a cancer experience, created in collaboration with Nishmat.
Partners
The Academy for Jewish Religion is a leading pluralistic seminary and graduate school training rabbis, cantors, and MA students in … Continue reading
The AJMA’s mission is to build an empowered community of Jewish healthcare professionals committed to combatting discrimination and antisemitism by … Continue reading
Bikur Cholim FR & 5T is a sisterhood of women committed to making Far Rockaway and the Five Towns a … Continue reading
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the Reform rabbinic leadership organization, with more than 2,200 members. The CCAR enriches … Continue reading
The Hadar Institute is a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America … Continue reading
Jofa advocates for expanding women’s rights and opportunities within the framework of halakha, to build a vibrant and equitable Orthodox community.
Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim is the support behind every medical journey in the Lakewood, NJ community. Their goal is to … Continue reading
Maharat was founded in 2009 as the first yeshiva to ordain women to serve as Orthodox clergy. By providing a … Continue reading
The NAJC is the professional organization of Jewish chaplains worldwide. Their members serve in a variety of institutions including hospitals, … Continue reading
Nishmat is a world center for women’s scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility, and a world leader in paving a new … Continue reading
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies stands as a collective of 170+ non-profit Jewish human service organizations spanning the … Continue reading
The OU Women’s Initiative elevates and connects Orthodox Jewish women through Torah study, leadership development, and community engagement. Their national … Continue reading
The Women’s Rabbinic Network is the organization of Reform female, nonbinary, and genderfluid rabbis, supporting and advocating for our members … Continue reading
Connect With Us
To learn more about the Sharsheret’s Global Health Leadership Training Institute, or inquire about creating a customized training for a cohort of community leaders, please contact Melissa Rosen, Director of Training and Education.
Sharsheret’s Global Health Leadership Training Institute is generously supported by Micah Philanthropies