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.

08/29/2025

We hope you have had a restorative summer and that this message finds you well.

At Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), we’ve been responding to the growing need for Jewish spiritual care across our communities. More than ever, NAJC is stepping into its role as the central professional resource for Jewish chaplaincy—supporting you in your sacred work and expanding our reach to meet emerging needs.

We are strengthening not only the “C” in NAJC, our commitment to chaplaincy, but also the “J,” by amplifying how we serve the Jewish people in every setting where our members offer spiritual care.

From hospitals to congregations, schools to prisons, your work matters deeply. NAJC is here to nourish you, and to advocate for your visibility, opportunities, and growth.

To do this well, we need our members' voices. Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey, which will help us better understand:
-Your areas of expertise
-How you use NAJC benefits
-What additional offerings would support you
-Ways you may want to volunteer or contribute to NAJC’s growth

Your responses will directly shape NAJC’s programming, outreach, and advocacy to reflect our members’ needs and gifts.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGK04Cxk45JIOpK0ppOdxXD5FLeZ3hl2VJbAHlSD2vy4iT2A/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for your continued dedication to Jewish chaplaincy and for journeying with NAJC.

Allison A. Atterberry
NAJC Executive Director

Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, BCC
NAJC President

NAJC strives to be the organization that serves you, our members. We would like to hear about how you are utilizing NAJC and what you would like to get from NAJC. Additionally, we often rely on our own internal talent to be able to serve our members best. We want to learn more about you, your expert...

08/28/2025

Yesterday’s devastating shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis shattered hearts across communities. As children gathered in prayer during Mass, two innocent lives were taken, and many others were wounded.

We, the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA) and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), are heartbroken. We send our deepest condolences to the families, educators, clergy, and entire Catholic community who are grieving today.

As organizations rooted in healing and spiritual care, we stand firmly in solidarity with the Catholic Medical Association and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
🕊️ We mourn with you.
🫱🏽‍🫲🏻 We walk beside you.
🙏 We offer support, whether through interfaith partnership, pastoral care, or practical assistance.

Let us join hands to resist hate, nurture hope, and create a future where all children are safe to learn and grow.

May the memories of those lost be a blessing.

✡️ 🤝 ✝️

08/04/2025

When one of us is honored, we all rise. Grateful to see Rabbi Jessica Shafrin recognized by the Rabbinical Assembly—our shared commitment to spiritual leadership shines through.

Our colleague, Rabbi Jessica Shafrin, began her career at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and today she serves as the Director of Mission at The Jewish Hospital--Mercy Health.

Read Rabbi Shafrin's story here: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/ra-rabbis-are

08/04/2025

So proud of our Board President, Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, BCC, for her presence and leadership at the American Muslim and Multifaith Women's Empowerment Council National Conference of Women Changemakers 2025 in Washington, D.C. on July 22. Her reflection has been published in the Jewish Journal.

06/20/2025

We were honored to co-sign this letter with the American Jewish Medical Association yesterday after the horrific attacks from Iran on Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot.

May Medinat Israel and Am Yisrael experience a true Shabbat Shalom.

05/22/2025

An important and powerful message from our Board president, Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, BCC this morning:

Chevre, as we wake up to the news in DC, we pray for the families of the two Israelis— the two Jews— who were killed. It’s impossible to digest the reality that they were walking out of a Jewish museum— full of our people’s history of persecution. Our Israeli chaplaincy colleagues, including Rabbi Valerie Stessin at Kashouvot have reached out to send their love and heartbreak to the Jewish American community. I have personally also heard from interfaith spiritual leaders across faiths expressing condolences. This is a hard way to start our day, embodying our greatest fears of antisemitism. We are heartbroken and yearning for hope and peace.

With that in mind I encourage us to put extra focus into the words that conclude our Amidah in Elokai Netzor. That Hashem should protect us from any evil directed toward us and swiftly turn it into goodness.

Encouraging ourselves and our children and grandchildren to feel safe amidst this news is complex. We are here for support- to join, listen, mourn, hope, and pray with you. Our Jewish patients and clients will certainly be holding this too.

As we continue in our holy work today, know that NAJC chevre are walking with you. Please consider using ChapLine and our affinity WhatsApp groups to support each other.

Together with AJMA and other partners, we will continue to advocate for the safety and support of Jewish chaplains, healthcare providers, and our wider Jewish community.

Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, BCC
NAJC President