The Empty Chair: A Holiday Conversation About Missing Those We Love

Join Rabbi Andy Bachman, Executive Director of JCP, Elsa Obus, M.S., grief counselor, and Stephanie Garry, Executive Vice President of Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, for an intimate discussion related to Passover.

Rabbi Andy Bachman is a New York City-based community leader and educator, and a nationally-recognized executive, teacher, writer, rabbi and social entrepreneur. He is a deeply dedicated Jewish leader with significant experience in expanding and strengthening all aspects of pluralistic Jewish public, private and not-for-profit organizations. His experiences include executive leadership and development, as well as teaching and social justice action and advocacy on local, national and international issues. jcpdowntown.org

Elsa Obus, M.S. is a psychology fellow at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) where she provides individual and group psychotherapy for youth and adults. Elsa specializes in supporting clients who have experienced trauma and grief across their lifespans, from preschool through older adulthood. In addition to therapeutic work, Elsa engages in researching pathways to resilience for youth and families who have experienced significant stressors, including parental loss or incarceration as well domestic and community violence. Elsa will be completing her PhD in School Psychology from Tulane University in August 2022 and is looking forward to continuing to provide grief and trauma services to the New York community as Dr. Obus.

Since joining Plaza in 2002, Stephanie Garry has held many roles within the organization. In 2021, Stephanie became Executive Vice President of Communal Partnerships. Prior to that, Stephanie was Chief Administrative Officer for six years after having served as Director of Community Relations for 12 years. From 1995-1997, Stephanie was President of Temple Shaaray Tefila, a Reform congregation in Northern Westchester, and has remained a member of this temple ever since. Stephanie has served as Community Outreach co-chair for the Westchester Chapter of The American Jewish Committee, is a former member of The Commission for Social Action, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of CAJAC (Community Alliance for Jewish- Affiliated Cemeteries). plazajewishcommunitychapel.org

This Zoom event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Museum at Eldridge Street, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, and JCP Downtown.