Have you ever struggled with the pain of losing a loved one or perhaps you were just wondering how to help someone who had experienced a loss themselves?
Most of us are at a loss on how to deal with the explosive and complicated subject of death and bereavement or what to say at a shiva house. What can we possibly say that will help a friend or relative without sounding insensitive or condescending?
A brand-new book about to hit the bookshelves this week will make this seemingly impossible task way easier. The book “Seven Conversation with Jerry” is a handy and practical resource on the subjects about bereavement, the afterlife and the human soul. This new book will help navigate these complicated subjects and give one the words and tools with which to offer comfort and solace in a meaningful way.
“Seven Conversations with Jerry” is written by Rabbi Avraham Plotkin, a Rabbi for over 35 years. Plotkin has been counseling and helping bereaved members of his community in Canada and has drawn on his vast experience, wisdom and compassion in compiling this book.
In fact, this book ironically helped the author himself resolve his own grief when two years ago he and his wife Goldie lost their precious special needs son Zalmy at the young age of 15. Ironically, they found tremendous chizuk in their own manuscript which had not yet been printed at the time.
This book is unique as it is written in the form of a novel, so it’s an easy read. It presents the many philosophical questions and challenges that we all deal with at one point or another through the voice of the rabbi’s atheistic congregant, the mega wealthy Jerry Goldstein.
Jerry poses to the Rabbi the hardball questions that bother ALL of us. He becomes our mouthpiece.
Then in typical rabbinic tradition, Jerry’s Rabbi answers these sensitive questions with great caution and sensitivity but at the same time very directly and honestly and gently prods his cynical congregant to a place of greater understanding.
This book is written to address as broad an audience as possible. While it draws on Torah and Kabbalistic sources exclusively, it is written in a universal language that should appeal to people of all backgrounds and religions.
This book is an ideal gift for someone who has experienced a loss or is actively comforting a mourner.
It is also a perfect gift for someone who is struggling with the most basic questions about life: How do we explain suffering and reconcile it with our belief in G-d? Why do bad things happen to good people? Do Jews believe in heaven and hell? What is heaven? What is hell? Does G-d keep a grudge? How can we ask forgiveness from the dead? Can we forgive the dead or is it too late? And much more….
The Rabbi paints for his curious and sensitive congregant, a comprehensive picture of the journey of the soul and its transition to the afterlife. It is done skillfully with tons of stories and parables that even the cynical Jerry cannot help but be moved. Many exciting, unexpected twists are thrown into the story to create an engaging and thrilling plot.
The book is available in a Jewish Book Store and will be available shortly on Amazon and Indigo book stores in Canada.
For a zoom style book signing program please call 416-505-0480.
For publishing a most important book, i predict this book will be a best seller!!
an admirer,
Rabbi Plotkin is always intersting and insightful. Should be a great read!
Thank you for writing this insightful book, written in such an accessible way!
May you be inscribed in the book of life… Remember Good things come in Small Packages!
The greatest book! Thank you!