The Shira Ruskay Center

Listed below are relevant publications and videos offered by JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs:

Jewish Sisters in Sobriety: Jewish Women's Untold Stories of Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Co-Dependence and Recovery
192 page collection of passionate, compelling first-person accounts of what it is like to be an alcoholic or chemically-addicted Jewish woman -- or a spouse, child or parent of one -- as well as inspiring descriptions of finding sobriety and recovery. Also contains a resource guide about 12-Step programs, self-tests, a bibliography, articles about Judaism and addiction, and support programs.
$15.00 [JACS]

Jewish Spiritual Companion for Medical Treatments
This superb 68 page booklet includes modern and traditional Jewish resources as well as the voices of fellow travelers, intertwined with contemporary insights on health and healing. A collaborative project of the Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program, JFCS of Minneapolis, MN and the National Center for Jewish Healing, JBFCS.
$12.95 [NCJH]

With Sweetness from The Rock
By Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein, LMSW
When an individual becomes seriously ill or frail, family members and friends enter the world of caregiving. Anyone who has taken on this responsibility encounters a range of intense emotions and a variety of challenging demands. This resource is designed to be a companion for caregivers, offering spiritual support drawn from Jewish tradition, ancient and modern texts, and the experience of fellow travelers. The author has organized With Sweetness from The Rock around seven Jewish themes which reflect the different experiences of caregivers as they go on this journey. [Order Form]
$11.95 [NCJH]

Healing of Soul, Healing of Body: Spiritual Leaders Unfold the Strength and Solace in Psalms
Edited by Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW. (Jewish Lights 1994)
A source of solace for those who are facing illness, as well as those who care for them. These Psalms and the inspiring commentaries that accompany them offer an anchor of spiritual support.
$16.99 [NCJH]

When the Body Hurts the Soul Still Longs to Sing
A prayer booklet of heartfelt blessings for times of illness (written by Jewish laywomen). A loving gift for anyone needing spiritual uplift in the midst of illness.
$4.00 ($3.25 for 10+, $2.75 for 50+) [NCJH]

With Healing on Its Wings
Masorti Publications, London.
A healing collage of selections from the Shabbat and weekday liturgy, Genesis, Psalms, Talmud, medieval and contemporary Jewish literature.
$11.95 [NCJH]

A Leader's Guide to Services and Prayers of Healing
A helpful guide to walk you through some of the central practical issues involved in planning and running a service of healing, whether it be free-standing or incorporated into a traditional service. Sample service included.
$6.00 [NCJH]

Mi Sheberakh Card
An artfully designed card with a short introduction and full Hebrew text; it offers separate masculine and feminine transliteration accompanied by an English translation on an attractive fold-over card that is small enough to fit in your pocket.
$1.50 ($1.00 for 10+, $.75 for 25+, $.30 for 100+) [NCJH]

Evening and Morning: A Circle of Prayer
A beautiful bikkur holim card, containing traditional prayers to say at bedtime and upon awakening, transforming moments of anxiety into comfort and reassurance and giving expression to vulnerability, fear, hope and gratitude. Attractively designed prayer card includes introductions, original Hebrew, moving translations and selected transliterations.
$2.00 ($1.50 for 50+, $1.25 for 100+, $1.00 for 1000+) [NCJH]

Guide Me Along the Way: A Jewish Spiritual Companion for Surgery
By Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW with Rabbi Aaron M. Lever
A 60-page Jewish guidebook with poetry, prayers, folktales, personal narratives, practical advice, healing activities and meditations to help patients, family members, clergy and health care professionals through the surgery experience, from leaving home to the year anniversary of an operation.
$11.95 [NCJH]

Jewish Principles of Care for the Dying
A special edition of our newsletter The Outstretched Arm from the winter of 2001. A collection of resources related to Jewish ways of looking at death and the dying process including articles on ethical wills and hospice care, Jewish teachings about death through the ages, the vidui prayer, and thoughts about the afterlife. Includes personal narratives, text study, prayer and ritual, as well as guidelines for those who visit, care, and comfort.
$1.50 [NCJH]

The Outstretched Arm
An 8-12 page publication that explores themes in Jewish healing. Articles from diverse voices cover a range of topics, including teachings on specific concepts, personal journeys of healing, rituals, wise sayings, Torah commentary, community resources, and updates from the healing network. [See Titles & Order Form]
[NCJH]

[Video] Turn To Me
This 27 minute film is about the mitzvah of bikur cholim- the act of visiting the sick. This documentary short conveys a powerful message; both educational and entertaining. Through focus on three life stories and the commentary of Professor Elie Wiesel, and Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard, we come to recognize that small acts of kindness, commitment, and gestures of caring, benefit those who visit as well as the person who we visit. We see the importance of visiting the sick and the difference you can make in the life of a fellow Jew.

This film can be used by any group, large or small, including synagogues, family service centers, bikur cholim groups, Chaplaincy programs, caring committee groups, schools, or for personal viewing. The film is accompanied by a study guide which provides discussion questions, visiting tips, notes on organizing, and quotes from the film. Through the exchange of ideas we learn and appreciate the compassion of the mitzvah of bikur cholim, and its profound expression of our humanity. Available on DVD or VHS.
$18 for individuals/$36 for groups (Special Group Package Deal: buy both Turn To Me & The Act of Visiting DVDs for just $42.) - LEARN MORE... [BCCC]

[Video] The Act of Visiting
This training video dramatizes visiting in 3 different settings: a private home, nursing home, and hospital. With stop-action the video pauses and questions are presented on screen for viewers to consider how they might respond in the given situation. A leader’s guide accompanies this video with all the questions and suggested responses for each question. Available on DVD.
$10.00 [BCCC]

[Video] Keynote Speech from 20th Annual conference -- Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg
Keynote speaker Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, Ph.D. Noted author, lecturer, and former President of Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation and CLAL. Available on DVD or VHS.
$10.00 [BCCC]

[Video] Keynote Speech from 19th Annual conference -- Rabbi Harlan Wechsler
Keynote speaker Rabbi Dr. Harlan J. Wechsler, spiritual leader of Congregation Or Zarua in NYC, shares moving insights and messages of healing from a 16th Century kabalistic text, Maavar Yabbok. Available on DVD or VHS.
$10.00 [BCCC]

Yad L Yad: A Training Manual for Bikur Cholim Volunteers
Synagogues, social work agencies and Volunteer leaders in twenty-five states and over one hundred cities in the United States and Canada have purchased this manual.
$18.00 [BCCC]

Yad L Yad: Russian Edition of the Volunteer Training Manual
This manual reaches out to the thousands of Russian Jews in New York and is helping them to establish Bikur Cholim programs. The manual is currently in use by the Joint Distribution committee at their Rosenwald Training Institute for Communal Workers, in St. Petersburg, Russia. This Institute, with branches throughout the Former Soviet Union, trains thousands of volunteers, professionals and para professionals in newly emerging Jewish communities.
$18.00 [BCCC]

Yad L Yad: Hebrew Edition of the Volunteer Training Manual
First published 1999, this publication was requested by Social Service Agencies in Israel to be utilized by the large Hebrew speaking and Israeli community in New York.
$18.00 [BCCC]

The Shiv'ah Visit
by Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka
Published in response to many national inquiries, this comprehensive pamphlet discusses such topics as the best time to visit a mourner, listening before talking, what to do and what to avoid during a Shiv'ah visit.
$3.00 [BCCC]

I Am My Brother's Keeper
by Rabbi Dr. Solomon L. Willinger
This guide written by the Jewish Chaplain at Brooklyn Development Center, provides information and explores issues concerning the care of the Jewish developmentally disabled and their families.
$4.00 [BCCC]

Bikur Cholim Resources
Compiled by the Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council
A 14-page compendium on bikur cholim with definitions, tips, tools, "Seven Ways of Asking," "Seven Ways of Listening," Prayers, and more... [Printed copies $3.00/ea]
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

About Being a Bikur Cholim Visitor
A 20-page guide covering the essentials about being a visitor, including general tips, prayers, telephone visits, self care, and getting started. Compiled from material on the Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council website.
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Organizing a Bikur Cholim Group
A 17-page guide covering the main points about organizing a group, including starting a group, sustaining a group, a special information about synagogue groups. Compiled from material on the Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council website.
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Chug Bikur Cholim: A Student Manual
Compiled by The Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York
A 13-page primer for students, offering some background to the mitzvah, do's and don'ts, and hints for visiting special populations. [Printed copies $3.00 - includes both student/teacher publication.]
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Chug Bikur Cholim: Pointers for Teachers
Compiled by The Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York
Guidelines and helpful suggestions for leaders to keep in mind when planning a student group bikur cholim program. [Printed copies $3.00 - includes both student/teacher publication.]
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Bikur Cholim 2010 Newsletter
This six-page newsletter includes A Joint Venture with High-Yields, A Visitor’s Voice — A Spirit of Endurance, and more...
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Bikur Cholim 2009 Newsletter
This four-page newsletter includes Good Company Comic Gets A Companion User Guide, A Bikur Cholim Grows in a Long Island Hospital, and more...
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Good Company: Facts and Fictions of Bikur Cholim
by the Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council
A 10-page, full color comic book providing through text and illustrated Facts and Fictions, a fun and easy way to introduce or deepen appreciation for bikur cholim. A great gift for yourself, visitors, patients, family members, clergy, health care professionals, and students.
$3.95 ($2.95 for 10+, $2.50 for 25+, $2.00 for 50+) [BCCC]

Good Company - Accompanying Guidebook
A guide designed in comic format that provides suggested instructions when using Good Company: Facts and Fictions of Bikur Cholim for training.
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Bikur Cholim Joke Book
Compiled by the Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council
A collection of humor that will lighten your hearts and spirits. Laughter is a gift, and humor can be a tool to use for yourself or to enrich another person.
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Telephone Visiting Manual
Sponsored by Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council
The ubiquitous telephone! How many of us have gotten calls that lift out spirits or warm our hearts? - like a warm bowl of chicken soup. With forethought and skill the telephone can be used for bikur cholim in a meaningful and efficient way. This manual offers a sampling of models for telephone visiting programs from around the country and provides helpful skills and tips for performing bikur cholim by phone. User friendly and informative.
FREE DOWNLOAD [BCCC]

Purchase by Mail:

Pay by check using the publications Order Form. For more information, contact us at or (212) 632-4608

Shipping and Handling charges (within the U.S.) are $2.75 for orders up to $30; $5.00 for orders between $30 - $100; and $10.00 for orders over $100.

©2011 The Shira Ruskay Center
135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor · New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-4608 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
[JBFCS site] [Jewish Connections Programs]