Events & Classes
This page will be updated regularly with upcoming events and classes.
July Community Meetup
Date & Time:
Tuesday, July 14th 2026
7:00 p.m. Eastern
Location: Zoom
Join us for our July Community Meetup with Julia Epstein, PhD, and Cathy Steirn, RN, MS, FNP-C, for a conversation about shmira and The Shmira Book Project. Shmira is the Jewish practice of accompanying the deceased from the time of death until burial. Rooted in the mitzvah of honoring and guarding the dead, shmira offers comfort to mourners and creates a sacred bridge between death and burial.
Julia and Cathy will share how their work with the Chevra Kadisha at Kehilla Community Synagogue in the California Bay Area led to The Shmira Book Project: two volumes created to expand and deepen the resources available to those sitting shmira. One volume offers the 150 Psalms in a range of English translations and interpretations; the other gathers readings on memory, loss, and solace from poetic and faith traditions. Together, these books honor ancient Jewish practice while making shmira more accessible to non-Hebrew readers, secular allies, and wider circles of community members who wish to participate in this sacred act of care.
Julia Epstein is a retired professor of literature, women’s studies, and writing, as well as a nonprofit communications and development professional. Cathy Steirn is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner and longtime member of Kehilla Community Synagogue’s Chevra Kadisha.
*The meetup will be recorded.
LGBTQ+ Belonging in Chevra Kadisha Communities
Date & Time:
Sunday, July 26th 2026
7:00 p.m. Eastern
Location: Zoom
Kavod v’Nichum is grateful to partner with Keshet for a free community training led by Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman, designed especially for Chevra Kadisha volunteers, leaders, and community members. Chevra Kadisha work is rooted in kavod, dignity, and sacred care. This training will help participants build shared language, deepen understanding, and strengthen practices that support LGBTQ+ equality and belonging within Chevra Kadisha communities. Together, we will explore core terms and concepts related to LGBTQ+ identities, make connections between LGBTQ+ belonging and Jewish values, and consider what it means to create explicitly affirming communities at the end of life and in times of grief.
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Understand key terms and concepts related to LGBTQ+ identities -Connect LGBTQ+ equality and belonging with Jewish values and Chevra Kadisha work
- Recognize why explicit affirmation matters, especially in moments of vulnerability, death, and mourning
- Identify ways that Chevra Kadisha volunteers, leaders, and community members can help build a more LGBTQ+ affirming culture.
This training is appropriate for anyone connected to Chevra Kadisha work, whether you are new to these conversations or already engaged in building more inclusive and affirming sacred care practices.
Community Events
Welcome to the Community Events Calendar!
All events shared here are submitted by community organizations and individuals and free to attend. While these are not in partnership with Kavod v’Nichum, we are excited to amplify opportunities so that we can all be inspired and strengthened through learning, sharing wisdom, and connections with one another.
Have an event coming up? Learn more and submit an event here.
Did you attend an event and want to share how it went? We’d love to hear! Send a note to hello@kavodvnichum.org