Translating

the Maavar

Yabbok

Kavod v’Nichum is

beginning a process of

identifying experts who

are able to assist with

translating Maavar Yabbok

from Hebrew to English.

If you are interested in

working on any aspect of

this project – translation,

editing, historical context,

study guide, or illustration,

or know someone who

might be interested, please contact David Zinner.

Of course financial support will also be needed. If you, or someone you know, is interested in helping fund this project, please let us know.

Kavod v’Nichum one of North America’s

Top 50 Innovative Jewish organizations

Kavod v’Nichum has been named one of North America’s top 50 innovative Jewish organizations in the ninth annual Slingshot Guide. The Guide has become a go-to resource for volunteers, activists and donors looking for new opportunities and projects that, through their innovative nature, ensure that the Jewish community remains relevant and thriving. Slingshot 2013-14 was released on October 24, 2013. Selected from among hundreds of finalists reviewed by 83 professionals with expertise in grant-making and Jewish communal life, Kavod v’Nichum’s work is seen as “timely, unique and ubiquitous [in an] area of concern that is overlooked by most in our community.”

Official Press Release

Our next 12 week Gamliel Institute course, Tahara and Shmira, begins on January 7, 2014 with a logistics orientation. Classes begin the following Tuesday evening and run through to March 31, 2014. Scholarships are available.

In this course we will not only study the techniques of Tahara and Shmira, but also  the powerful spiritual and emotional experiences that can likely develop from engaging in them.

More course information can be found here.

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Philanthropic Network recently announced a series of $1,000 micro-grants under MakeItHappen program. Up to fifty grants will be awarded.

MakeItHappen invites you to show how a small change can make a big impact. Applicants are invited submit inspired ideas for creating a Jewish experience that will make a meaningful difference in your community.

We consider this a great opportunity for anyone or any group that is seeking training, either through Kavod v’Nichum or the Gamliel Institute to submit their applications for scholarship funding. Contact us if you need some guidance preparing a submission. Full details about the program are here.

Ongoing . . .

Twenty Boston area synagogues sponsored a week of training from Oct 2-6, 2013 for the new Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston – 100 people participated in eight hour training sessions led by David Zinner with assistance from Simcha Raphael. Read the article about Kavod v’Nichum and the Boston training published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency(JTA) and picked up in the Jewish Forward.

Rabbi Stuart Kelman, Gamliel Institute Dean, spoke on Monday, October 28, 2013 Tahara Liturgy: Unravelling

the Secrets in Chicago at Anshe Emet. The event was co-sponsored by: Anshe Emet Chevreh Kadisha; The Progressive Chevra Kadisha, a partnership of Beth Emet Synagogue, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Congregation Or Chadash, Lomdim, and the Egalitarian Minyan of Rogers Park; The West Suburban Chevra Kadisha, a partnership of Oak Park Temple B’nai, Abraham Zion and West Suburban Temple Har Zion; The Chevra Kadisha of Congregation Hakafa. Over fifty people were in attendance.

Upcoming . . .

Community Chevra Kadisha training in Cleveland – November 15-18, 2013 with David Zinner and Rena Boroditsky – contact Rabbi Steven Segar

Taste of Gamliel webinar – Rabbi Daniel Greyber on Sunday evening, December 15, 2013 – Free, but you must register.

12th Annual North American Chevra Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, Florida – March 23-25, 2014. More details to follow.

Tahara and Tachrichim

Pricing Survey

We hope to:

– Understand the range of prices being charged.

1. –Learn if funerals homes treat these charges as

“pass through” items.

– Analyze whether pricing is discouraging, neutral or encouraging families to choose tahara and tachrichim.

-Provide Chevra Kadisha groups tools to begin a discussion with their local funeral home regarding pricing.

We’d like for you to:

– Verify that the funeral homes that service the Jewish community in your area are listed. We’ve already assembled a list of over 200. If yours is not listed, please add them.
– Complete information about the pricing of tahara and tachrichim.