Life hits us with many expected and unexpected events. Some are acts of nature, like tornadoes, floods, and ice storms. We all know how to prepare for these disruptions. We charge our phones and we stock up on food that will remain edible even if we lose power. We may create survival packages for the family in case we have to evacuate, and we obsessively watch weather updates.
But some of the most difficult events in life are expected because they are inevitable. Life has a cycle. If you are from a large extended family, as I am, there is always someone being born, getting married, getting a new job, retiring, and inevitably dying.
At all stages of life’s cycle, we know that we need to be prepared. Being prepared means protecting the financial security of our families with life insurance and retirement accounts. Being prepared also means letting our families know what we want by creating a will and powers of attorney that cover our finances and our healthcare.
More recently, being prepared means having emotional support for our families. Emotional support can be provided by hospice care and by death doulas. Death doulas provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support for individuals nearing the end of life and their families.
On August 16, 2026, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and the LIFE & LEGACY™ program will host an event to discuss life’s inevitable expected events. The keynote speaker for the event is Sarit Wishnevski, executive director of Kavod v’Nichum (www.kavodvnichum.org).
In addition to the speakers, attorneys will be available to assist individuals needing simple wills (few assets, no children) or healthcare powers of attorney.
Register for the program here, https://www.jewishnashville.or...
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