Congregation B’nai Amoona’s Gallant Motivational & Inspirational Weekend Series will welcome Reb Simcha Raphael for a weekend of events June 7-10 focused on “Mysteries Of Life, Death And The World Beyond: A Shabbat & Shavuot Experience.”

Raphael, a psychotherapist and spiritual director in Philadelphia, is founding director of the DA’AT Institute for Death Awareness, Advocacy and Training, as well as an adjunct professor in the department of religion and theology at LaSalle University.

Ordained by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi as a rabbinic pastor, Raphael is a member of the Rabbis Without Borders Network, and author of numerous publications including “Views of the Afterlife.” 

Raphael will speak at the following events:

Friday, June 7

• 6 p.m.: The Sammy Goldman Family Shabbat

Experience: Create a bridge between Shabbat at home and shul. A complimentary dinner will follow (RSVP at bnaiamoona.com), and then there will be a discussion of “Jacob’s Deathbed Finale: Family Drama and End-of-Life Trauma and Healing.” 

Saturday, June 8

• 10:15 a.m.: Torah for Today — Moses’ Death and Sacred Stages of the Mystery of Dying.

• 11:45 a.m.: Sermonette — The Other Worldly Mystery of the Mishkan 

• Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Exploring the Afterlife Journey of the Soul in Kabbalah – This study session is part of the West County Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot at Traditional Congregation (see ChaiLights calendar on page 18 for full details). Mincha is at 6:15 p.m., followed by a welcome at 7, followed by learning, praying, eating and schmoozing from 7:20 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday, June 9

9 a.m.: Shavuot I Services — Transcending Trauma: Mythic Dimensions of the Book of Ruth

Monday, June 10

• 9 a.m. Shavuot II Services — From Mega-Mourning to Soul-Guiding: The History and Mystery of Yizkor

Following Shavuot I and II Services, B’nai Amoona will hold a special kiddush and ice cream sundae bar. For more information, visit bnaiamoona.com or call 314-576-9990.