Limmud Michigan 2020

According to a 2013 national survey 90% of Americans said that it was very important to have a conversation about end-of-life wishes – but only 27% have done so. So why have so few families talked about end of life desires?  “It is just too awkward” “Mom would be upset if I bring it up” “My kids don’t want to hear about this” “I don’t know what to say.”
What constitutes a “good death?” What does Jewish law and Jewish medical ethics have to say about withholding certain treatments? What if I change my mind? What if Mom or Dad develop dementia? What is the role of hospice? Most importantly, how can I identify the values that can guide a difficult decision? Let’s start the conversation.