The Joy of Holidays, the Pain of Loss: A Moment for Support and Community

The High Holy Days season can be particularly difficult if we are missing a loved one. This year will be especially challenging for so many of us. Grace Gleason, BJ’s new rabbinic fellow and  Mandi Zucker, founder and president of Inner Harbor, will present and facilitate a discussion in a supportive session about grief and the holidays for young adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Participants will have an opportunity to explore their own losses and talk about ways to include deceased loved ones into holiday traditions, as well as share coping strategies to take care of themselves during a particularly stressful time. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences with loss and provide a safe space for others to do the same. A private space for participation is encouraged.

Our Speaker:

Mandi Zucker is the founder and president of Inner Harbor.  With over 20 years in the field of death, dying, and bereavement, she is committed to making sure that all young people cope in a healthy way with the grief that comes with all kinds of losses, including death, job loss, divorce and the grief stemming from COVID-19. Ms. Zucker is an experienced presenter, trainer and grief support group facilitator.  

Ms. Zucker earned her BA in child development and care from the University of Pittsburgh and her masters degree in social work from New York University.  She is a lead responder for the Traumatic Loss Coalition in New Jersey and serves on the board of trustees at Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey. Ms. Zucker has also earned a certificate in thanatology, the study of death and dying, as well as a certificate in grief recovery.