Grief Support experienced through the Jewish Pavilion

In May and June of 2022, Judy Kahan led a weekly grief support group for Jewish people who had experienced a loss. The sessions were held at Cascade Heights in Longwood. Another grief support group will resume in the fall. It is best practice to wait about six months after a death to participate in a group because the group may be too raw.

Myrna Ossin commented on the experience. "Judy Kahan did a great job in leading the sessions. She gave everyone a chance to talk and provide some worthwhile handouts that were very helpful in knowing the stages of grief that one may feel. At the last session, one of the participants taught breathing exercises, and Judy gave us inspirational handout that focused participants to seek solutions to life challenges. Both were most helpful to send the group off in the right direction. Judy explained that the healing process is different for each person and that it will have its ups and downs, with each person finding his or her own peace."

Kahan is a native Central Floridian whose Jewish communal career included work at the JCC, Jewish Federation and Kinneret Apartments. During her tenure as executive director of Kinneret Apartments, Kahan created the organization known today as the Jewish Pavilion. She received her master's degree in social work from Yeshiva University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. Currently Kahan serves on the board of Share the Care, a nonprofit organization that provides day-care service centers for the elderly and supportive services for caregivers. After 25 years of marriage, Kahan became a widow at the age of 52. In 2015 she married Elliott Davis, who now serves as chairman of the board of the Jewish Pavilion. Davis participated in the grief support group to share his experiences from the loss of his wife in 2010.