Spirituality

In this insightful episode, host Tim Mallad welcomes special guests Reverend Denise Odom, Director of Spiritual Life for Presbyterian Village North, and Rabbi Howard Wolk, community chaplain with Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas. This trio spends 30 minutes discussing faith and religion, working at faith-based organizations, including hospice services and senior living, while also serving those considered non-religiously affiliated. The Reverend and Rabbi offer guidance on respecting and recognizing religions outside of anyone’s personal faith. They remind audience members that everyone is connected through the commonality of humanity – often sharing similar feelings and emotions during times of joy and sorrow. The guests highlight the demonstration of faith through the practice of core values, sharing that a minister’s objective, regardless of a patient or resident’s religious affiliation, is to offer comfort and companionship during times of crises, while practicing the Golden Rule of loving one another. Join us for this informative podcast designed to help audience members recognize that faith-based organizations do not seek to build barriers through religious rigor, but instead wish to overcome obstacles to build personal connections with those they serve. About the guestsRabbi Howard Wolk serves as community chaplain with the Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas. He was born in the Bronx and grew up in Queens, New York. Rabbi Wolk moved with his family to Dallas, where he first became the founding Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Tefilla. He continues to be a strong role model and active leader within Dallas’s Jewish community and with many organizations, including Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. Reverend Denise Odom serves as Director of Spiritual Life for Presbyterian Village North where she and the PVN Spiritual Care team assist residents in their spiritual growth through council, community worship and service to others. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for more than 20 years and have two daughters.