Shomer Collective

Talking about death is never easy. But engaging with questions about mortality and the value of planning for end-of-life care remains vital — particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission of Shomer Collective is to improve end-of-life experiences for individuals and their families, inspired by Jewish wisdom, values, and practices. By curating content and resources, and building a diverse network of organizational partners, Shomer Collective is shaping a world where end-of-life matters are spoken about openly, thoughtfully, and intentionally in Jewish contexts.

Founded in 2022, the organization offers concierge services — such as end-of-life care consultations, ‘how-to’ videos about end-of-life rituals, resources about palliative care, and courses on how to prepare ethical wills — to help Jews navigate end-of-life matters accessibly, meaningfully, and free from stigma and shame. And it has become clear that these services are vital for Jews nationwide and around the world. Shomer Collective’s inaugural convening in October 2022 engaged nearly 250 people from 27 states and three countries. Recently, Shomer Collective launched a Jewish End of Life Doula group that meets monthly with 50 national members, and the organization has formalized partnerships with 28 groups — including hospitals, hospice centers, JCCs, and rabbinic associations — across the United States.

Ultimately, Shomer Collective is enabling individuals and families to think about, plan for, and take meaningful steps to ensure that when the time comes, their end-of-life wishes will be respected and honored.