Rabbi Anne Brener, a native New Orleanian, is a psychotherapist, spiritual director, and author of Mourning & Mitzvah: Walking the Mourner’s Path (Jewish Lights, 1993 & 2001). Ordained as a Reform rabbi, she is professor of Ritual and Human Development at the Academy for Jewish Religion.  She conducts workshops around the country on Jewish mediation, grief and healing and assists institutions in creating caring communities.