In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Ematai’s associate director and physician assistant Rachel Secunda speaks with Ematai’s director of community outreach, Bassie Taubes, an oncology nurse, health coach, and rebbetzin, about how rabbis and communities can better support those who often feel unseen. They highlight the elderly who quietly withdraw due to physical challenges, caregivers who sacrifice silently and need recognition and respite, mourners who grieve long after shiva or outside traditional halachic categories and the ill themselves. 

The discussion also covers the importance of sensitive bikur cholim, remembering caregivers after a loved one’s passing, and empowering rabbis to ask questions of the healthcare team when answering shailot. Ultimately, they stress that rabbis cannot and should not do everything alone; rather, they should do what they can to make congregants feel acknowledged and educate the broader community to notice, listen, and care so that no one feels forgotten.