Introducing Our New Chaplaincy Program
RABBI-CHAPLAIN
As the Rabbi-Chaplain for the new Chaplaincy Program of the Jewish Federation of Sacramento, I’m delighted to share our vision and our current offerings. Our vision for this program is to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of all those in need who do not already have a clergy member to turn to throughout the greater Sacramento area. Our offerings focus on Individual Chaplaincy and Chaplaincy Groups, and are open at no cost to everyone in the community.
If you have any spiritual or chaplaincy needs that could benefit from our new Chaplaincy Program, please reach out to the Federation at federation@jewishsac.org, or call (916) 486-0906, and ask to be connected with me.
Rabbi Deni Marshall, LCSW
Rabbi-Chaplain of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region
INDIVIDUAL CHAPLAINCY
For individual chaplaincy, we provide pastoral counseling and emotional support to people who may live too far away from a synagogue to attend, are unaffiliated with a synagogue, or who live in a senior home or care home and are no longer able to attend synagogue. I also provide end-of-life conversations and pastoral care to those who have received a possible life-threatening diagnosis, a diagnosis of mental decline, or are currently in a hospice situation. Individual Chaplaincy visits are also available for family caregivers who are struggling with isolation, depression, the process of losing a loved one, or those grieving the loss of a loved one.
For individual and family situations, chaplaincy visits may take place in person (when distance is workable) or online via Zoom. Please feel free to reach out to the Jewish Federation and ask to be connected with Rabbi Deni Marshall, LCSW.
CHAPLAINCY GROUPS
A Caregiver’s Support Group meets twice a month on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 pm at Congregation B’nai Israel and on Zoom. The group is open to anyone who is a caregiver, whether you are caring for a parent, a sibling, a partner, or an adult disabled child. Some caregivers provide care in their own homes. Some are providing care even though their loved one is in a facility. Some provide care from near and some from afar. All are caregivers who might benefit from our spiritual care group.
In this group, caregivers share their stories and receive support from others. I also provide spiritual and emotional reading material designed for caregivers, which we read and discuss. In this way, each person can take comfort in sharing experiences and possibly find new ideas that will help them navigate the difficulties of being a caregiver.
If you are a caregiver in need of support, please feel free to drop in. In person is always better, but if you need to attend virtually, please contact me for the Zoom link.
Beginning February 23rd, a Grief Support Group will meet once a month on Mondays from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at Mosaic Law Congregation and is open at no cost to the entire Sacramento community. This group is for anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one, whether your loss is recent or long-lasting. We welcome you to our support group, where we share stories, express our grief, support each other, and explore Jewish wisdom for difficult times. There is no RSVP required for this group, but if you wish to speak with me first, please reach out.
OTHER SERVICES
As part of our Chaplaincy Program, I provide an Ageing Well Group at Einstein Senior Residence Center twice monthly, and an early Shabbat service at Eskaton Land Park twice monthly. If you know of anyone who is entering either of these facilities, please let them know what we provide. I also offer spiritual care weekly on Wednesday mornings for patients at Kaiser Permanente Hospital South, Jewish and non-Jewish patients. This helps our community in two ways. First, I am there for our people, and secondly, I present loving care to others as well, which helps the community at large appreciate the Jews who live among them.