Comments on: Jews Bring Food: Tips for Feeding Grieving Friends

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:31:19 +0000

You might want to check out James Haller’s What to Eat when you don’t feel like eating. It was written for cancer patients. His website is at http://www.jameshaller.com/index.html

By: Tracey Kite

Tracey Kite — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:53:11 +0000

Thank you for the lovely post. I co-lead Bikur Cholim training series for synagogues in the Chicago area and two people sent it to me - I will make sure to share it with future students!

Refuah Shlemah to your mom, and strength and comfort to you.

Tracey Kite
Director
Jewish Healing Network of Chicago

By: carrie

carrie — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:07:12 +0000

You’re intuition to spend time with your mom, instead of in the kitchen, is right-on. I struggled with this when my mom was sick; sometimes I felt so helpless I’d spend hours cooking things she said sounded good. One day, though, I turned off the soup pot and crawled in bed with her to take a nap. I never got back to the soup, but now I have that sweet memory of being with her. Potato-kale soup and custard were two things she enjoyed, even when her taste buds went south. Thanks for the thoughtful post.

By: MamaBird/SurelyYouNest

MamaBird/SurelyYouNest — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:34:11 +0000

So sorry about your mother. Came here from Culinate and I agree with their assessment that your tips are right on target no matter the reason for the food delivery. My best to you and your family.

By: celine

celine — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:56:22 +0000

best thoughts to you and your Mom.

By: Ilana-Davita

Ilana-Davita — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:23:04 +0000

Thanks for all the tips and advice.
I am sorry about your mom.

By: Miron

Miron — Mon, 19 May 2008 05:48:53 +0000

Tamar-

What a lovely post. I remember when I sat shiva for my father and one family member brought us so much turkey, there was still some of it in the freezer way after shloshim.

Here in Jerusalem, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

B’shalom,
Miron

By: devadeva mirel

devadeva mirel — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:55:41 +0000

Best wishes for your mom and all the loved ones and care givers involved.

Very useful tips. In our community we all take turns cooking for moms who just birthed for 2 weeks to a month. When I had my last baby, I was overwhelmed by the amount of food leftover, the pain in the butt of returning people’s containers (yogurt containers, sour cream tubs, ricotta cheese containers, etc make wonderful no-stress if there is no return reusable containers) and honestly, the weird stuff that people thought I would eat. People definitely tend to cook what they find comforting.

It was a great article because it highlights the mood of service for someone else as opposed to doing what one thinks is good (and makes one feel good doing!).

By: shev

shev — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:07:13 +0000

Dear Tamar,
So sorry for your Mom’s illness, how wonderful it must be for her to have you around.

Just a beautiful practical essay. We all need to read it.

Thanks.

By: Honi

Honi — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:43:22 +0000

So sorry to hear about your mom, as with most people we know someone close who has gone through the same or similar experiences.. I lost 2 cousins ( sister in laws of each other) to breast cancer with in a short time. It is a difficult thing to go through and watch those you are close to suffer.. but in a strange sort of way it brought us closer.. the times we were able to visit with each other were so cherished. Hold on to those moments.. and thank you for the wonderful advice on helping those going through this and what to provide and not to provide..