Beth Israel Congregation in Owings Mills invites the public to join Elizabeth Black Shapiro, a nurse practitioner and health educator, and the synagogue’s Rabbi Rachel Safman for a discussion highlighting the crucial health care advocacy skills of careful preparation, accurate communication and realistic expectations.

The program will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10-11:15 a.m. at Beth Israel, 3706 Crondall Lane. Online registration is available at bethisrael-om.org. The first 30 people who register to attend in person will receive a copy of Shapiro’s book, “Don’t Bet Your Life: How to be Your Own Patient Advocate.”

The program will be interactive and experiential, so while attendees may participate in person or remotely, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged. Attendees of this presentation will learn how to use  their time and resources wisely to receive the safest and most informed care available; recognize that the responsibility for medical choices belongs to the patient; facilitate efficient, complete communication of the most important information between the patient and his or her health care providers.