Heal Us O Lord: A Chaplain's Interface with Pain
is the story of Rabbi Sidney Goldstein's experiences told thorugh the
voice of a fictional Chaplain who encounters the traumas of life as he
visits with those who are in the throes of experiencing them. The book
expresses the challenges faced by chaplains in providing support during
some of the most crucial and painful times of life without being
enveloped by them personally. Rabbi Goldstein offers a source of
encouragement and counsel for those whose lives might crave
spirituality, but do not know where to turn.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rabbi
Goldstein, PhD was the Director of Chaplaincy at the Albert Einstein
Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA where he was instrumental in founding
the National Association of Jewish Chaplains, of which he is a former
President. He later moved to Florida, served as the community Chaplain
of the Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, and as visitng
Professor of Philosophy at Palm Beach State College. Rabbi Goldstein is
the author of Suicide in Rabbinical Literature and has written articles for Hadorom, published by the Rabbinical Council of America.
PRAISE FOR HEAL US O LORD:
"Portraying
a fictional pulpit rabbi who, in retirement from the Pulpiut, becomes a
Jewish chaplain in a nursing home, hospital, and prison, Rabbi Golstein
provides his own keen psychological Torah insights into the difficult
lives of residents, patients, inmates, and even professional staff. He
creates poignant dialogues and dilemmas that obviously capture his
personal experiences as a chaplain, and ocmpel the reader to confront
and ponder life's most challenging questions."
- Nathan Lewin, Adjunct Lecturer Columbia Law School; Partner Lewin & Lewin LLP, Washington, DC
"I am so grateful to Rabbi Sidney for giving me the privilege to review his latest outstanding book, Heal Us O Lord.
Having been in the field of chaplaincy for almost forty years, it was
like reading my own professional life as well. Rabbi Sidney makes this
work feel so alive. It is a very interesting and thought-provoking read
for clergy and laymen alike. I, too, benefitted greatly from RAbbi
Sidney's sensitivity and warmth. My sister Ahuva Mandelbaum passed away
at the young age of 39 at Einstein Medical Center. How fortunate we were
to have Rabbi Sidney there for us. May the Almighty continue to bless
him with good health and beautiful nachas as a reward for a devoted life
glorifying Hashem's name through his years of caring for those in
need."
- Rabbi Dr. Tsvi G. Schur, Board Certified Chaplain, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore MD
