Olam Chesed 2024 Cohort

Olam Chesed: Chevra Kadisha Builders Program

Precious Boatwright Temple Israel Chevra Kadisha of Tallahassee Tallahassee, FL Precious is a Jewish African-American woman who is the mother of two brilliant and beautiful (inside and out) daughters. She loves her Jewish community and is a member of a Conservative synagogue and a Reform synagogue. She likes to take herself to the movies on Tuesdays.

Rochelle Friedlich Congregation B'nai Jeshurun New York, NY Rochelle Friedlich is a social worker who has worked in the field of geriatrics for 16 years, following her prior career practicing law. Rochelle lives in New York City and is an active, long-standing member of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where she serves as cochair of the Chevra Kadisha as well as on other committees.

Rae Gaines New Synagogue Project Chevre Washington, DC Rae is a queer Jewish doula for grief, end of life and death journeys in the Washington, DC metro area.

Rae's services are for communities and people looking for someone to go through their grief or death journey through a lens that is human-centered, anti-oppressive, and intersectional.

Susan Gross Adath Jeshurun Congregation Minnesota, MN Susan has been a member of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation Chevra Kavod Hamet for over 15 years, where she and her husband Peter are currently cochairs of the Chevra. She is deeply interested in ways we can listen and support each other in life and at the end of life. She has lived in the Minneapolis, St. Paul area of Minnesota her entire life.

Heidi Katz South Berkshire Community Hevra Kadisha The Berkshires, MA Having recently closed her educational software company after 26 years, Heidi now works part-time for her local Jewish Federation, teaches religious school, and serves as an end-of-life doula. She lives in rural western Massachusetts with her husband and dog. Her two adult daughters and their families (including her 6-year-old grandson) live in the DC area.

Jodee Kooyman Valley Chevra Kadisha Upland, CA Jodee volunteers at her synagogue, helping with various community activities and events, which brings her a lot of fulfillment. She cherishes reading and the time she gets to have with her family.

Lacie "Nell" Laurendine Fort Collins Chevra Kadisha Fort Collins, CO Nell is a Louisiana native and lives in northern Colorado, where they are a member of her local Chevra Kadisha. Nell is passionate about growing, learning, and connecting. She works in mental health and loves spending time with her family and hiking, reading, and painting.

Fay Lipschultz Progressive Chevra Kadisha Chicago, IL Fay is a long time healthcare administrator, founding member of the Progressive Chevra Kadisha in Evanston, and member of the PCK steering committee, where she helped revise the tahara manual and develop guidelines for non binary inclusion. She teaches 3rd grade Hebrew, and is a member of the Inclusion, Tzedakah, Israel and Adult Education committees at her synagogue. Fay volunteers with several community based groups, including a refugee rights organization and is an enthusiastic participant and supporter of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

Judith S. Lyons Temple Israel Chevra Kadisha of Tallahassee Tallahassee, FL Having lived in community for 50 years, Judith began her Jewish spiritual journey at the age of 52. Along with constant learning, leading services, special rituals and leyning Torah, her work with the Chevra Kadisha serves to deepen her appreciation and joy on this journey.

Solomon Costello Michaels Men’s Chevra Kadisha of Greater Victoria Victoria, BC Solomon is a professional sick person with a deep and abiding love for making the world better, in small and concrete ways. He lives on an island in the Pacific with his husband, assorted chosen family, one cat and one dog.

Barbara I. Schmidt Progressive Chevra Kadisha Chicago, IL Barb’s interest in the work of Chevra Kadisha germinated after personal experiences with deaths of loved ones and a deep-seated determination to help those dying preserve dignity and ease into death. She loves the collaborative aspect of this service work and is a member of the Progressive Chevra Kadisha in Chicago.

Her efforts are supported by her work history: 20+ years as a healthcare professional, 17 years teaching in higher education, and 8 years as a consulting engineer.

Kohenet Pleasance Silicki New Synagogue Project Chevre Washington, DC Kohenet Pleasance is a full spectrum Community Doula in Washington, DC who supports individuals and families in end of life care, grief, death and advanced planning. She also mentors folks in integrating Jewish Spiritual practices into everyday life.