Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, and What Lies Beyond

JOURNEY OF THE SOUL
An Exploration of Life, Death, and What Lies Beyond
Starting January 7, 2026, 7:00 PM

What Happens to the Soul?
What is a soul?
Where does it go after it leaves this world?
Do Jews believe in heaven and hell?
Can souls remain connected to us?
And what is reincarnation really about?

These are some of the most profound questions we carry -- often quietly, sometimes only when life brings moments of loss, transition, or deep reflection.

Journey of the Soul is a six-session course that explores the spiritual dimension of our existence through timeless Jewish wisdom. Together, we’ll examine what Jewish tradition teaches about the soul’s journey beyond this world, the transition into the hereafter, and the legacies that continue to matter long after our physical life has ended.

We’ll also explore the emotional and spiritual processes surrounding this journey -- the rituals, practices, and ideas that help both the soul and those left behind navigate change with meaning, comfort, and clarity.

Lesson Details

Lesson 1
Demystifying Death
Why are humans so anxious about death and dying? For many, the abrupt finality of death makes life itself seem futile. By exploring how our life force "our immortal soul" never ends but merely shifts roles, we begin to view life and death as two harmonious steps on the same journey.

Lesson 2
Taking Leave
Is death painful for souls? Is my presence felt when I visit a grave? Judaism’s pre-burial and burial rituals accompany the soul’s gradual transition from a limiting physical life to a completely spiritual one. We discuss those rituals and how, once freed, the soul’s connection to the living continues in new and powerful ways.

Lesson 3
The Mourning After
What is the Jewish grieving process and what is the significance of its various traditions? This lesson provides a meaningful Jewish perspective on grief itself, as well as practical shiva etiquette both for mourners and for those who wish to comfort them.

Lesson 4
Where We Go
For centuries, human beings have been motivated by the promise of heaven and frightened by the threat of hell. Discover what Jews believe about where every soul goes and how Kaddish aids a soul in reaching true peace.

Lesson 5
Where We Go Again
Reincarnation: more than a fascinating topic, Judaism provides a practical way to imagine this mystical process, and explains why it is important both to departed souls and to our lives today.

Lesson 6
Life Is Short(ish)
By now we’ve come to appreciate death as the next phase in our ongoing personal missions. In our final lesson, we use what we’ve learned to revisit our priorities in this current phase and find ways to fill every moment with everlasting significance.

Pricing Information

Registration Fee  $99 + $20 book fee; $90 + $20 book fee for MEMBERS ONLY