In this deeply personal and soul-stirring episode, I read aloud my recent article published in the Jewish Journal — a reflection that begins with a quiet moment beside my Bubbie near the end of her life and expands into a spiritual journey across time, tradition, and mystery.

As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, a rabbi, and a chaplain, I share what it was like to witness my Bubbie reaching out to someone I couldn’t see — her father, who perished in the Holocaust. That moment sparked questions I was once afraid to ask: What happens to the soul after death? Can we stay connected to those who’ve passed on? And… is that even a Jewish thing?

Through teachings from the Zohar, the Talmud, Chassidic masters, and personal conversations with rabbis, scholars, and dying patients, I invite you into a sacred conversation about the eternal bonds of love and spirit — and the surprising ways Judaism makes space for connection beyond this world.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever grieved, wondered, or longed for just one more moment with someone they’ve lost. It’s a reminder of the words of the Lubavitch Rebbe- shared by Zisi Cunin “It’s like they’re just on the second story, looking down at you — ain shtok hecher — one floor higher, but still with you.” Rabbi Gordon added that the Rebbe explained, “When someone passes away, they don’t go far — they’re just one floor up, watching over us, interceding, praying, and blessing.” 

It’s a reminder of the tangible relationship we can still have with loved ones in spirit, and that sometimes, the most profound truths are whispered in the spaces between worlds.

 If you found this information comforting, please share both the article “When Souls Watch Over Us: A Jewish Reflection on Eternal Connections” from the Jewish Journal, and the episode with somebody else who it might comfort. Thank you for tuning into the Let Yourself Sparkle podcast. Stay tuned for more episodes about how we can light up our body, mind, heart, and soul.

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