Hevrah Kadisha

Hevrah Kadisha

 
by Rick Light and David Zinner
What is Hevrah Kadisha and what does its function in community?
 
by Rick Light
The modern community organization we call the Hevrah Kadisha did not come into being overnight. It has been developing over the past four millennia. Jews have been taking care of their dead in respectful and loving ways throughout our history. While we base much of today’s Hevrah Kadisha work on liturgy from 1626 when the Ma’avar Yabok was published in Italy, our timeline goes back to the beginning of Judaism and extends to the present. From Biblical parshiot to Maavar Yabbok to the present, the important milestones in Jewish death and mourning traditions are show in a timeline of Jewish historical events.
 
by Josh Elkin
Eight values demonstrated in Jewish death and mourning practices - reality of death; respect for the dead; equality; simplicity; venting of emotions openly and fully; communal responsibility and support; affirmation of life; and remembrance. 
 
by Josh Elkin
Eight values demonstrated in Jewish death and mourning practices - reality of death; respect for the dead; equality; simplicity; venting of emotions openly and fully; communal responsibility and support; affirmation of life; and remembrance.
 
by Rick Light and David Zinner
Explains and explores the three major Hevrah Kadisha structural models that exist in the U.S. and Canada
 
by David Zinner
A comparison of the policy manuals of two Hevrot Kadisha, addressing issues of clothing, family participation, cremation, transgender, non-Jews and more