A cornerstone of the tahara prayers is the invocation of the name of the deceased several times during the ritual. We do so as we begin the tahara (literally “purification”—the process of preparing a Jew for burial according to Jewish law and custom), when we advocate for his or her soul before the Almighty, and […]
Dignity in the Face of the Holocaust Read More »
I came to a new appreciation of the hevra kadisha after the death of my son JJ in September 2002. My previous experiences were indirect: when my parents-in-law and then my father died, one phone call was made to their synagogues, and everything was set in motion. But JJ did not die in his home
Hevra Kadisha: An Appreciation Read More »
How do we measure the worth of a life? How do we share our legacy with the generations that come after us? These questions are intimidating at any age, but take on increasing urgency as we grow older and seek to understand the meaning of the life we’ve led. There are logistical challenges, too, that
Preserving the Past, Defining a Legacy Read More »
A decade ago, when I formally began the process of joining the clergy of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, I could not imagine synagogue members turning to a woman to officiate at lifecycle events. I was convinced that congregants would gravitate toward custom and tradition during such life-altering moments, and that there would be no
“Summon the Mekonenot (Dirge-Singers) and They Will Come” Read More »
“Why’d she do it?” “She seemed so happy.” “I don’t understand.” “Will she be buried in a different part of the cemetery?” “My sister died this way over 60 years ago and we couldn’t talk about it. We had to lie.” My daughter, Batsheva Chaya Stadlan, z”l, died by suicide in April of 2017. At
Suicide, Halakhah, and Practice: From Sin to Understanding and Compassion Read More »
A central piyyut of the Yamim Noraim, “adam yesodo mei’afar” (“the human being originates from dust”), attempts to capture human frailty by comparing finite human life to “a shattered vessel, a withered grass, a faded flower, a passing shadow, a vanishing cloud, gusting wind, floating dust, and a fleeting dream.” Ten years ago, on Rosh
As a Fleeting Dream: Coping with Pregnancy Loss Read More »
