Chevra Kadisha News - Published by Kavod v'Nichum

Adar II 5763 - March 2003 - 500 subscribers

Hag Sameach - Happy Purim!

The early rate of $200 for the Chevra Kadisha Conference is good for six more weeks, until April 30, 2003. After that date advance registration increases to $250. For information on workshops, speakers, hotels and on-line registration and payment for the June 22-24 conference, go to the web site at www.Jewish-funerals.org/conference.htm. Printed brochures will be mailed the first week in April. Please pass this information on to others who might be interested. We're looking forward to seeing you. 

In April of 1976, the Institute for Jewish Policy Planning and Research of the Synagogue Council of America published a document titled "Toward New Policies on Jewish Funeral Practices". Here are a few quotes:

"There remains a clear need...for a housekeeping in the Jewish funeral home system."

"Sadly, this traditional practice and communal concerns have not well survived the transplant of Jewish life into American culture."

"More ambitious would be the initiation or resuscitation of communal chevra kadisha. ...could include members from a single congregation or several in a community, and would take full responsibility for pre-planning, contract with funeral home and cemeteries, providing for shomrim, tahara, takhrikhim and appropriate caskets, and assisting the mourners."

"More comprehensively, Jewish community groups, including synagogues, could move to establish their own funeral home, under the auspices of a chevra kadisha."

"Implementation of any of these quite practical options would serve to reassert Jewish community control over a significant part of life and death...."

The High Cost of Dying - a detailed analysis of the funeral industry in New York City by the  Consumer Affairs office. This is the report that lead to the divestiture by SCI of three funeral homes and the creation of Plaza, a community owned funeral home in Manhattan.

A bill introduced into the Maryland Senate would allow the Muslim community to transport, wash, shroud and bury their own dead without using the services of a funeral home. 

Rabbi Jack Moline of Agudas Achim of Alexandria Virginia teaches rabbis how to construct sermons. Eleven articles about the Chevra Kadisha and other aspects of Jewish traditions around death.

Burial in Israel – a series of articles and resources on transfer permits, caskets, shipping, and cemeteries. 

Are you leading a workshop that deals with death? Here's a simple 10 question Self- Assessment of Attitudes, Beliefs and Opinions on Death & Dying that can be used to help open the discussion.

What are Jewish Healing Services? Read about the liturgy, theology, history, structure and more. 

The Thirteen Principles of Jewish Medical Ethics is a fascinating Jewish, philosophical, economic and practical approach to medical care. 

Halacha on the web…Halachic Consequences of September 11th - Praying for those missing but presumed gone; Under what conditions should one recite the 'gomel' prayer if they were saved; Suicide - various cases; The onset of shiva; Permission to remarry - the Agunah issue; Shmuah Rechoka and Shmuah Krova; Post 9.11 - Placing ourselves in Danger; Kohanim and the WTC.

Understanding The Mitzvah of Hesped

The Simple Life: The Case Against Ostentation in Jewish Law - Takes Rabbi Gamliel to the next level

The Talmud on Accompanying the Dead

We're building a database of Chevra Kadisha groups so we can reach you. We are asking every Chevra Kadisha to write us an e-mail or complete the contact form on our website. If any reader knows of a Chevra Kadisha, help us get in touch with them.  If you'd like to do a survey of Chevra Kadisha groups in your area, let us know that too. We appreciate any assistance.

Did you honor your Chevra Kadisha members this year? Let us know about your event. 

Many Chevra Kadisha groups require that the family make a donation for Tahara. The Chevra then uses this money to make charitable contributions. Kavod v'Nichum would like to be on your list. We need your financial support to continue to provide you services. Contributions of any size are welcome. Make your check out to Kavod v'Nichum and send it to 8112 Sea Water Path, Columbia, MD  20145 or call David Zinner at 410-799-8070 or e-mail to donate@jewish-funerals.org for more information. On-line credit card donations are also gladly accepted.