Earl Grollman’s Living When a Loved One Has Died has brought comfort to more than 250,000 readers. In Living with Loss, Healing with Hope, Grollman speaks directly to mourners of the Jewish faith. By weaving quotations from Jewish writers and philosophers into his comforting and expert prose, Grollman guides readers through the journey of mourning, healing, and hope.
A colleague of Grollman’s once told him, “Earl, I am not a member of your faith, but if I wanted the soundest emotional and spiritual approach to death, I would be a Jew.” Occasionally quoting from sacred texts as well as Jewish writers and philosophers, Living with Loss, Healing with Hope illuminates Judaism’s powerful recognition of the trauma of grief and of the mourner’s responsibility eventually to return to the rhythm of life. In a brief final section, the author guides readers through Jewish funeral observances, Shiva, and beyond, and reminds all that these symbolic customs are ’about change-remembrance, letting go, and moving on.’
“Earl Grollman is still the master of consolation. Every word of this little book is a polished jewel.” —Harold S. Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
“Rabbi Grollman has been an unfailing source of wisdom for many years. Now, in his latest book, he crowns his work with profound insight, with simplicity, beauty, and compassion. Living with Loss, Healing with Hope is an invaluable resource for mourners. . . . I cannot recommend it highly enough.” —Rabbi Chaim Stern, editor of Gates of Repentance
“In this unique volume, Earl Grollman provides mourners with specific Jewish guideposts to move them from grief and despair to measure relief and hope. His insights will help readers to reshape their lives.” —Paul Menitoff, executive vice president, Central Conference of American Rabbis
“Rabbi Grollman’s. . . . book is a comfort to those still in the throngs of loss-to the person whose mind travels like a butterfly, flitting between memories, navigating diverse emotions. . . . it feeds the heart and soul.”
-The Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh
“In this slim volume, Rabbi Grollman, a prolific writer and sage bereavement counselor, offers the essence of Jewish wisdom concerning the death of loved ones.”
-Moment