JLI course looks at where the soul goes after it departs this world

The Edmonton Jewish Learning Institute is offering s a new course on the spiritual side of existence. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute’s newest course examines the soul and its journey through ancient and eye-opening Talmudic teachings.

Some questions are universal to the human experience. Is there life after death? What happens to the soul after we die? What is it like for those who have traveled over to the Great Beyond? These are but a few of the questions addressed in the newest course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI).

Beginning October 26, JLI will present The Journey of the Soul, the institute’s new six-session fall 2015 course.

Rabbi Mendy Blachman of Chabad of Edmonton will conduct the six course sessions which includes a delicious dinner, on Monday evenings at 7:30, starting October 26, at the Fantasyland Hotel.

“There’s a significant amount of confusion in the Jewish community about what happens to us when we die,” explains Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, the lead editor for the course from JLI’s headquarters in New York. “Many ideas that originate in other religions and belief systems have been popularized in the media and are taken for granted by unassuming Jews. In Journey of the Soul, we clear up these misconceptions and introduce an authentically Jewish approach which is both surprising and refreshing.”

Journey of the Soul provides spiritual insight into the soul’s journey through life, death, and beyond, as well as ancient Jewish wisdom that sheds light on the philosophical, emotional, and practical aspects of coping with death and mourning.

“Science knows very little about the soul and what happens to it post mortem,” said Rabbi Mendy Blachman, the local JLI instructor in Edmonton, AB. “It’s about what is truly valuable and meaningful in life which is relevant to everyone, and many in Edmonton have expressed their curiosity to learn about the topic, so we’re expecting a good turnout.”

Professor Sheldon Solomon of Skidmore College who co-authored the book The Worm at the Core: On the role of Death in Life commented about the JLI course: “This course strikes me as a very fine juxtaposition of ancient theological wisdom with contemporary empirical science. My sense is that this will be an interesting and rewarding educational and personal experience.” Similar sentiments were expressed by other experts in the field, including Professor Jeff Greenberg of University of Arizona; Dr. Casey Skvorc from the National Institutes of Health; Pamela Blair, co-author of I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye; and Bianca Nogrady, author of The End: The Human Experience of Death and others.

The course is being offered in joint sponsorship with the Washington School of Psychiatry, enabling medical and mental health professionals to earn up to 7.5 AMA, APA, CBBS, and ASWB continuing education credits for their participation.

Like all previous JLI programs, Journey of the Soul is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Interested students may call 780-200-5770 or visit www.ChabadEdmonton.org for registration and other course-related information.

The Edmonton JLI is a project of Chabad of Edmonton.