Mourner's Kaddish
Version of the Kaddish, praising God, that mourners recite during the bereavement period and to mark the anniversary of a death of a loved one.
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Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife?
What happens when we die? Do we see our loved ones? Do we know them? Do they know us? Jewish wisdom offers no definitive answer, but there is guidance in several core teachings.
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What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral
Jewish tradition teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This is the underpinning of all of the rituals and customs that make up a Jewish funeral.
- Is it appropriate to visit a grave on Passover?
- My loved one has died during this time of pandemic. What mourning rituals can we do from home?
- When do you light yizkor (memorial) candles on Yom Kippur? Do you light candles only for immediate family members?
- Is it true that you cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have a tattoo?
- Is it Jewishly permissible for us to bury our beloved pet with my late mother? The dog meant a lot to her.
- What is the Jewish expression to refer to someone who has died?
- I’m planning an unveiling. What do I need to know?
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End-of-Life Decisions: A Discussion Guide
We learn: "There is a time for being born and a time for dying" (Ecclesiastes3:2). But how do we know when the dying time has come? Are we free to determine time and method?.
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Preparing for a Jewish Funeral: A Guide
The death of a loved one is often a painful and confusing time. This guide will assist you in planning the funeral and offer helpful information on the centuries-old Jewish burial practices.
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Everything You Need to Know About the Jewish Custom of Shiva
Judaism has a carefully ritualized structure for dealing with grief. The first stage in the gradual process of healing is called shiva.
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Yahrzeit Calculator
It is a mitzvah (commandment) to observe yahrzeit, the anniversary of the day of death, by reciting Kaddish and attending synagogue services.
What's New
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Complicated Shades of Grief: Mourning My Mother in Times of Trauma
February 4, 2021
In the weeks preceding her passing, her children and grandchildren continued to visit her, either in person or remotely via technology. She was surrounded by her children until the very end.
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A 2010 Conversation About Love and Hope with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
November 20, 2020
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, served as chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years. This interview with him first aired on the podcast OnBeing in 2010.
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Distancing Closeness: A New Way of Mourning
November 5, 2020
Gathering in grief gives us a window into the blessings of life. Jewish tradition does this so well – which makes it all the more difficult to cope with loss in the time of COVID-19.