Zoom funerals, socially distanced shivas: One rabbi's guide to coping with death during COVID and beyond

Four years ago, Rabbi Avraham Plotkin was writing a book about bereavement when, in a horrible coincidence, his own 14-year-old son died. Rather than let that derail his project, he pushed forward, drawing from 35 years of working funerals and shivas, and understanding what helped people move on after the shiva period ends. He says the advice in his book actually helped him move forward on a personal level. His book came out in Nov. 2020, months into the COVID pandemic, after traditional bereavement rules and hospital visiting hours were completely upturned. Now, as Jews worldwide approach the first Yizkor of 2022 this weekend, having endured two full years of COVID, many are mourning more friends and family members than they expected. Rabbi Plotkin joins from Thornhill, Ont., to share his take on some of the biggest questions and concerns about death, including how to manage our feelings toward the deceased and where souls actually go after we die. What we talked about: Learn more Rabbi Plotkin's book, Seven Conversations with Jerry: A Book about the Human Soul, Bereavement and the Afterlife Read about the death of 14-year-old Zalmy Plotkin Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To learn how to support the show by subscribing to this podcast, please watch this video.