Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains

03/25/2026

Come join us at the 2026 NAJC Conference "Bamidbar: Finding Strength, Courage and Healing in the Wilderness." The agenda is posted and registration is now open. Contact me with any questions.

https://whova.com/web/nXw6qpkjaSWIYZaBhymuKMs4b3vZsSXjTRnX2iAsaPg%3D/

02/09/2026

This episode on Jewish chaplains who specialize in mental health is dedicated to the memory of Chaplain Ilisia Kissner, z"l, who died 8 days after she recorded this program with her chaplain colleagues Cantor Rabbi Dr. Rob Jury and Rabbi Benjamin S. Perlstein. Ilisia envisioned this episode and participated closely in its development. We at NAJC release it with heavy hearts knowing that Ilisia is not alive to witness the episode's publication. However, we take solace that Ilisia's Torah and wisdom live on through this preservation of her words. May the memory of Chaplain Ilisia Kissner be for a blessing.

This episode on Jewish chaplains who specialize in mental health is dedicated to the memory of Chaplain Ilisia Kissner, z"l, who died 8 days after she recorded this program with her chaplain colleagues Cantor Rabbi Dr. Rob Jury and Rabbi Ben Perlstein.

11/24/2025

Listen to "Palliative Care, and Why You Need to Know About It" from the "Exit Strategy" podcast, featuring Dr. Diane Meier Rabbi Dr. Edith (Edie) Meyerson in conversation with Stephanie Garry Thank you to Plaza Jewish Community Chapel for allowing NAJC to share this podcast on the NeshamaCast feed.

Podcast Episode · NeshamaCast · 11/24/2025 · Bonus · 31m

11/04/2025

Check out the newest NeshamaCast episode featuring a conversation among three hospital directors of spiritual care: Rabbi Fredda Cohen, Rabbi Simcha Silverman, and Chaplain Mark Daniels.

In this episode, we meet three Jewish chaplains who serve as spiritual care managers in their respective hospitals and discuss blessings and challenges in their experiences in leading their departments.

09/19/2025

A new episode of "NeshamaCast," the podcast produced by Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) is out now!

Rabbi Mia Simring and Rabbi Gabe Kretzmer-Seed join Chaplain David Balto to discuss preparing for and experiencing the High Holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur with their incarcerated congregants.

Rabbi Mia Simring and Rabbi Gabe Kretzmer-Seed join Chaplain David Balto to discuss preparing for and experiencing the High Holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur with their incarcerated congregants.

09/02/2025

The NeshamaCast Season 3 Premiere is now out, featuring reflections on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. In an extensive interview, Rabbi Myrna Matsa, D.Min., BCC, describes her service as community chaplain of the Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Katrina. Then, Rabbi Theodore Lichtenfeld shares some memories of serving a New Orleans synagogue during that time and the support he received from Rabbi Matsa. https://neshamacast.simplecast.com/episodes/hurricane-katrina-twenty-years-later-rabbi-myrna-matsa-remembers

Rabbi Myrna Matsa recounts her service in community chaplaincy in Louisiana and Mississippi as the Gulf Coast region recovered from Hurricane Katrina. Rabbi Theodore Lichtenfeld adds his own recollections of his service in New Orleans during that crisis.