00:01 - Introduction and explanation of Yurzeit

01:03 - The soul's advocacy on Yurzeit

02:19 - Why the soul advocates on Yurzeit

03:20 - The start of the advocacy process

04:25 - Stories of our Ancestors 

04:39 - Episode date and tribute

05:10 - Mrs. Raskas's support for learning

06:28 - Mrs. Raskas's encouragement to attend classes

 07:41 - Hospitality and chocolate chip cookies

08:43 - Inviting a single older man for Shabbos meals

 09:36 - Mrs. Raskas's magnificent Shabbos table

10:37 - A mother's love and Purim carnival exhibit

11:42 - Creating the Skeeball exhibit

12:46 - Building the Skeeball game

13:16 - Getting into Camp Mora Shah

14:16 - The power of a mother's advocacy

15:17 - A mother's devotion

15:40 - Purim gifts and Mrs. Raskas's generosity

16:42 - The huge Purim gift container

17:45 - A mother's special treatment for her son's friends

18:59 - Mrs. Raskas's dedication to her children's education

20:01 - Parents' credit for teaching Torah

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Rabbi Herber's Earnest Prayer Timestamp Breakdown:

• 0:08-1:07: Introduction to Rabbi Herber's recently discovered prayer, its emotional impact, and the context of its finding on a WhatsApp chat.
• 1:08-2:08: Explanation of the project to preserve Rabbi Herber's teachings through a podcast-like archive and the intention to read and translate the found prayer to prevent loss.
• 2:09-3:09: Beginning the Hebrew reading and translation of the prayer, focusing on pleas for mercy, protection from all evil (physical, spiritual, and financial), and relief from suffering, anxiety, and anguish.
• 3:10-4:20: Continuing the prayer's translation, including requests for good divine counsel, health, a good livelihood, a settled soul, a happy heart, and true success in Torah, mitzvot, and good actions. This section re-emphasizes the earnest plea for mercy.
• 4:21-5:31: Rabbi Herber's profound wish to merit educating the children of Israel (both youth and adults) in Torah, faith, and the fear of God according to his heart's desire, alongside an urgent request for a suitable place to fulfill this great mitzvah immediately.
• 5:32-6:03: A brief reflection on the preceding prayer point before moving to the concluding paragraph.
• 6:04-7:07: Concluding the prayer with a humble acknowledgment of unworthiness, yet trusting in God's great kindness, mercy, and ultimate salvation, expressing that the plea comes from a broken heart, and placing ultimate trust in divine salvation.

20 Hashtags:

1. #RabbiHerber
2. #JewishPrayer
3. #Tefillah
4. #SpiritualLegacy
5. #TorahWisdom
6. #Emunah
7. #FaithJourney
8. #HerberStories
9. #JewishHeritage
10. #Inspiration
11. #DivineMercy
12. #Protection
13. #LivelihoodBlessing
14. #GoodHealth
15. #HappyHeart
16. #Mitzvot
17. #EducatingYouth
18. #FearOfGod
19. #TrustInGod
20. #HeartfeltPrayer

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In this episode, we review the latest chaplain job openings across Illinois (20 positions) and Indiana (18 positions) as of late July 2026. We also examine Optum/UnitedHealth Group's growing healthcare footprint in both states, including the $5.4B LHC Group acquisition, the $3.3B Amedisys acquisition, American Health Network's 70+ Indiana offices, and the closure of behavioral health clinics.

All job listings and Optum ownership claims have been fact-checked against primary sources including Becker's Hospital Review, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Optum's newsroom, and UnitedHealth Group's careers portal.

Music: Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions (Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC)

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"Sarah Adelman's Legacy"

00:00: Memorializing Sarah Edelman

00:48: 20th Anniversary

01:51: The Neshama's Return 03:03: Understanding Grief

04:04: Early Memories

05:06: The Power of "Good Shabbos"

07:15: Impactful Encounters

 08:22: AI & Reliable Information

09:27: A Profound Tragedy

10:29: Enduring Love & Grief

11:29: Sarah's Story 12:30: Community in Shock

13:32: The Sarah Edelman Memorial Fund

14:41: Help and Hope

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Title Summary: This episode offers a comprehensive overview of hospice chaplain job opportunities in Indiana and neighboring metropolitan areas (Chicago's south suburbs, Louisville, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Southwest Michigan) as of late July 2026. It details specific companies, salary expectations, and requirements for various chaplaincy roles, categorized by geographical location.

Companies Mentioned:

01:11 Anchor of Hope Hospice

01:21 Select Hospice

01:23 Fortis Health

01:34 A new hospice

01:36 Cadre Hospice

01:50 Life's Journey of Avon

01:59 Ascension St. Vincent

02:18 Indiana University Health

 02:27 Hendricks Regional Health

02:35 Hancock Health

02:44 Gentiva

02:59 Ametasis

03:19 Heart to Heart Hospice

 03:36 Inhabit Home Health and Hospice

03:45 Gentiva

03:51 Charles Ford Hospice

04:02 Owensboro Health

 04:09 Luminary Hospice

04:12 Parkview Health

04:16 Indiana University Health

04:30 Franciscan Health

04:54 Paradigm Health 05:08 Unity Hospice

05:14 Advocate Aurora Health

 05:28 St. Joseph Health System

 05:39 Beacon Health System

05:43 Goshen Health

05:57 Core Well Health

06:07 Margaret Mary Health

06:12 Marketplace Chaplaincy

06:19 VNA Health at Home

06:33 TRI Health's Hospice of Cincinnati

 06:48 Dignity Care Partners

07:00 Hospice of the Bluegrass

07:07 UC Health

07:11 Christ Hospital

 07:17 Ohio's Hospice

07:22 Otterbein Senior Life

07:29 Kettering Health

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TITLE:
Called to Care: Chaplain Jobs from Chicago to St. Louis
CHAPTER BREAKDOWN:
00:00 Introduction and search methodology
05:00 Top Chicago chaplain opportunities
10:30 Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana
14:00 St. Louis, Des Peres and Metro East opportunities
18:45 Pay, schedules and evening flexibility
22:00 Jewish and interfaith eligibility
25:15 Employer culture, reviews and turnover
29:00 Job websites, LinkedIn strategy and top recommendations


HASHTAGS:
#ChaplainJobs #Chaplaincy #SpiritualCare #JewishChaplain #InterfaithChaplain #HospitalChaplain #HospiceChaplain #ClinicalPastoralEducation #CPE #ChicagoJobs #StLouisJobs #IllinoisJobs #MissouriJobs #IndianaJobs #HealthcareCareers #PastoralCare #BereavementSupport #CareerSearch #LinkedInTips #FaithAndWork


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The Sacred Power of Laughter: Humor as a Spiritual Resource

Timestamp Breakdown:

• 0:00-0:20: Humor as a spiritual resource in chaplaincy & spiritual assessments.
• 0:20-0:45: Talmudic story: Clowns identified as having the greatest spiritual merit for bringing joy.
• 0:45-0:53: The profound value of bringing laughter to those experiencing sadness and depression.

Hashtags: #SpiritualCare #Humor #Wellbeing #Chaplaincy #Talmud #Joy #MentalHealth #Laughter

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Miscommunication Leads to Misunderstanding This clip discusses a chaplain's email to their employer that was misinterpreted as a resignation letter, leading to their termination. The speaker argues that the employer's misinterpretation highlights a disconnect between the "caring hearts" of healthcare professionals and the "business people" in management, particularly regarding the value of patient care over strict corporate rules. Timestamp Breakdown:

• 0:00-1:06: Introduction to the email, its misinterpretation as a resignation, and the speaker's argument that it wasn't.
• 1:07-2:14: The speaker's certainty that it wasn't a resignation, citing the chaplain's dedication and potential high turnover in healthcare due to miscommunication.
• 2:15-3:17: Reading the "resignation" email and its key phrases.
• 3:18-4:19: The immediate termination and the chaplain's perspective on the email's true meaning (a "beautiful email").
• 4:20-5:20: Analyzing the specific lines in the email that were misinterpreted as resignation.
• 5:21-6:21: The speaker questions why the chaplain felt he was no longer a good fit, suggesting potential for misunderstanding or small changes.
• 6:22-7:24: Explaining the chaplain's genuine concern for his patients and the time it takes to replace a chaplain.
• 7:25-8:27: Emphasizing the chaplain's "hospice heart" and his unlikelihood of abandoning patients without saying goodbye.
• 8:28-10:31: The true reason for the chaplain's concern: the changing sunset times impacting his ability to work on Shabbos (Sabbath).
• 10:32-11:33: The company's refusal to accommodate his need for flexible documentation due to Shabbos.
• 11:34-12:36: Why he didn't seek religious accommodation earlier and the implication that the company might not have hired him if they knew.
• 12:37-13:37: The chaplain's love for the company and his hope that his concerns would be addressed.
• 13:38-14:43: His hope that the other chaplain could explain the seriousness of Shabbos to the company.
• 14:44-15:46: Another grievance: the company's shift from valuing team building to a "stay in your lane" mentality.
• 15:47-16:29: A previous issue regarding visiting hours and his willingness to adapt.
• 16:30-17:34: His immediate adaptation to the new visiting hours, proving no intention to resign.
• 17:35-18:37: The timing of the email coinciding with new HR leadership and his desire for a backup, not an immediate resignation.
• 18:38-19:38: The uniqueness of his actions (providing a replacement) and how it differentiates healthcare professionals from other businesses.
• 19:39-20:39: The necessary notice period in hospice and the chaplain's underlying hope for continued employment.
• 20:40-21:42: Clarifying his full-time status despite a previous PRN job and his work ethic.
• 21:43-22:43: Divine intervention: early work restrictions prevented him from encountering the Shabbos issue sooner.
• 22:44-23:45: Calculating sunset times to show how his work became impossible due to Shabbos.
• 23:46-24:47: The exact date of his termination and the impact of the early sunset.
• 24:48-25:53: The employer's response, accepting his "resignation," and the speaker's frustration.
• 25:54-26:58: The speaker's belief that hospice people wouldn't view it as a clear resignation.
• 26:59-28:00: His argument that his actions prove he didn't resign and his request for a termination letter.
• 28:01-29:03: The employer's apology but continued belief it was a resignation, leading to "off-boarding."
• 29:04-30:04: The employer's rationale for the "resignation" and the speaker's disagreement with their assessment.
• 30:05-31:05: The unemployment dilemma: both sides agree he's entitled, but for different reasons.
• 31:06-32:07: The ethical implications of accepting unemployment based on a false premise.
• 32:08-33:12: Further proof he hadn't resigned: being asked to cover a shift after the "resignation."
• 33:13-34:20: The lack of a termination letter and the difficulty explaining his departure in future interviews.
• 34:21-35:22: The root cause of the miscommunication (Shabbos) and the high turnover in remote healthcare jobs.
• 35:23-36:33: The contradiction in the company's paperwork (resigned vs. dismissed) and the unhealthy culture of suppressing dissatisfaction.
• 36:34-37:34: Drawing a parallel to individuals with autism and the challenges of being truthful in a misinterpreting world.
• 37:35-38:31: The speaker's reflections on the situation and future discussions.
• 38:32-39:50: An unrelated weather report (likely a podcast segment).

20 Ashtons (Key Insights):

1. Misinterpretation is Widespread: Most people (outside of chaplains) saw the email as a clear resignation.
2. Chaplains See Differently: Chaplains interpret the email as a genuine expression of concern for patient care.
3. Action Speaks Louder: The chaplain's actions (continued work, positive attitude) contradicted the idea of resignation.
4. Hospice Heart: A chaplain's dedication to patients prevents abrupt departures without goodbyes.
5. Shabbos Conflict: The core issue was the inability to comply with documentation rules due to Sabbath observances.
6. Lack of Accommodation: The company refused flexibility for religious practice, leading to the conflict.
7. Ethical Dilemma: Accepting unemployment based on a false reason (resignation vs. termination) presents a moral quandary.
8. Communication Breakdown: The entire situation stems from a critical miscommunication between employee and employer.
9. Corporate vs. Compassion: The speaker highlights a conflict between corporate rules and the compassionate nature of healthcare work.
10. High Turnover Contributor: Such miscommunications contribute to high turnover rates in healthcare, especially remote roles.
11. Unhealthy Culture: A company unwilling to hear dissatisfaction or accommodate needs creates an unhealthy environment.
12. Desire to Stay: The chaplain loved his job and company, wishing for a resolution rather than a departure.
13. Proactive Concern: Offering a replacement chaplain demonstrates genuine concern for patient continuity.
14. Truthfulness Misunderstood: Being overtly truthful and helpful can be misinterpreted in a less direct world.
15. The Timing of HR: The new HR leadership may have contributed to a less flexible approach.
16. "Mutual Agreement" Fallacy: The company's claim of "mutual agreement" was disputed by the chaplain.
17. No Formal Resignation: No official resignation letter was ever written by the chaplain.
18. No Formal Termination: The chaplain wasn't given a clear termination letter, causing further confusion.
19. Impact on Future Employment: The ambiguous departure makes explaining the situation in future interviews difficult.
20. Lessons for Leadership: The incident serves as a case study in how rigid policies and poor communication can lose valuable employees.

Title: The Shabbat Challenge: Navigating Religious Accommodation in Chaplaincy Timestamp Breakdown:

• 00:00-01:02: Introduction: The importance of communicating religious accommodations, specifically Shabbat restrictions for hospice chaplaincy, and how it relates to previous long-term employment.
• 01:02-02:04: Illustrative career history: Examples of long-term roles in teaching and kosher supervision, highlighting consistency before hospice chaplaincy.
• 02:04-03:06: The pattern emerges: Hospice chaplaincy roles consistently ending in winter, attributed to Shabbat observance and long-distance driving on Friday afternoons.
• 03:06-04:07: Shifting responsibility: Acknowledging that the issue might stem from a lack of upfront communication about limitations rather than company disrespect.
• 04:07-05:17: Divine intervention: A personal anecdote about a delayed hiring process, which inadvertently protected the speaker from early Friday afternoon work.
• 05:17-06:23: The "why": Reaffirming that Shabbat is the core issue and expressing a desire for long-term employment, emphasizing the need for clear communication of limitations.
• 06:23-07:37: The value proposition: Explaining how observant individuals can be assets, especially in expanding into specific communities, and the importance of transparent communication.
• 07:37-08:42: Beyond money: The desire for lasting employment and the commitment to a company, leading to the creation of resources that might go unused if employment is short-lived.
• 08:42-09:47: Strengths and self-blame: Highlighting individual strengths chaplains bring and taking responsibility for not communicating limitations earlier.
• 09:47-10:48: Advice for other chaplains: Emphasizing the importance of upfront communication about Shabbat limitations, as employers may not understand the nuances.
• 10:48-11:39: Real-world example and closing remarks: Citing a successful chaplain who sets clear boundaries and concluding with well wishes.

20 Hashtags:

1. #ShabbatObservance
2. #ReligiousAccommodation
3. #HospiceChaplain
4. #CareerJourney
5. #WorkLifeBalance
6. #JewishLife
7. #ProfessionalDevelopment
8. #CommunicationIsKey
9. #EmploymentChallenges
10. #FaithInTheWorkplace
11. #Chaplaincy
12. #HospiceCare
13. #OrthodoxJew
14. #CareerLongevity
15. #WorkplaceInclusion
16. #HealthcareProfessionals
17. #JobSearchTips
18. #EthicsInBusiness
19. #PersonalNarrative
20. #ProfessionalGrowth

Title: The Shabbat Travel Dilemma: A Halachic Framework for Healthcare Workers Timestamp Breakdown:

• 00:00 - Introduction: The Urgent Question of Friday Travel for Jewish Healthcare Workers
• 01:17 - Part 1: The Foundational Rule - Shulchan Aruch and the 3 Parsa'ot Limit
• 02:26 - The Reason for the Limit: Lechvod Shabbat and Preparation
• 12:14 - Part 2: Opinions of Major Contemporary Poskim (Introduction)
• 21:13 - Opinion 5: The Star-K (Rav Moshe Heineman) - Practical Travel Rulings
• 22:26 - Opinion 7: Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo) - Leniency for Pikuach Nefesh
• 23:26 - Critical Nuance: Pikuach Nefesh vs. Bikur Cholim
• 24:39 - The Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim and its Halachic Weight
• 25:50 - Mitzvah Travel: Shulchan Aruch, Mishnah Berurah, Tsitz Eliezer, and Rav Ovadya Yosef
• 27:06 - Practical Implications for Friday Afternoon Chaplaincy Visits
• 28:06 - Part 4: Techum Shabbat and the Walking Distance Principle
• 29:10 - Rav Moshe Feinstein's Ruling on Structural Solutions for Recurring Obligations
• 31:14 - Part 5: A Practical Framework for an Orthodox Jewish Chaplain
• 32:20 - Principle 2: Never Plan to Arrive Within One Hour of Shabbat
• 33:27 - Principle 4: Always Bring Shabbat Supplies
• 35:10 - Part 6: Summary of All Opinions Side by Side
• 38:33 - Closing Thoughts: Reconciling Kavod Shabbat and Bikur Cholim

20 Hashtags: #ShabbatTravel #Halacha #JewishLaw #BikurCholim #HealthcareWorkers #JewishChaplain #ErevShabbat #OrthodoxJudaism #ShabbatPreparation #PikuachNefesh #ShulchanAruch #RavMosheFeinstein #RavShlomoZalmanAuerbach #StarK #MitzvahTravel #TechumShabbat #KolSimcha #JewishPodcast #SpiritualCare #CovenantalAct

This episode includes AI-generated content.