Rabbi Dr. Rena Arshinoff obtained her nursing training in Montreal. She completed a Master of Health Science degree in Epidemiology at University of Toronto and worked for 20 years in clinical research prior to entering rabbinical school in 2003. Following Rabbinic Ordination in 2008, she trained in hospital chaplaincy and became certified in both Canada and the United States. She is a registered psychotherapist. She currently works at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto as Rabbi/Spiritual Care Practitioner with Palliative Care, Complex Continuing Care, independent living, and Movement Disorders as well as private grief therapy practice. She is a member of the Research Ethics Board at Baycrest. Rabbi Arshinoff completed a PhD in Palliative Care from Lancaster University in England focusing on Parkinson’s Disease. She holds an adjunct lecturer appointment with the Division of Palliative Medicine at University of Toronto as well as the Institute for Life Journey and Aging. She facilitates seminars for medical students and wellness sessions for palliative care residents and fellows as well as teaching a course on Jewish Care and Counselling at Wilfred Laurier University. Rabbi Arshinoff’s main areas of interest are palliative care, bereavement and healing in adults and children; Professional Grief and staff support in hospitals; and spiritual needs in Movement Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease in particular. She has conducted research and education, and has published in these areas. In 2014, Rabbi Arshinoff was honoured by the Forward as one of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis. She lives in Toronto with her husband Stephen and they have three children and 2 grandchildren