In Jewish practice, the traditional statement upon learning of a death is: ברוך דיין האמת Baruch dayan ha emet Blessed is the true judge Tradition teaches that this statement, “Blessed is the True Judge,” acknowledges death is beyond our understanding. Why there is death, who dies, we cannot grasp. God’s ways are a mystery to us….
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A while ago Rabbi Corey Helfand gave me permission to share his useful explanation of how to attend a shiva. I want to share with you. *** Shiva calls can be hard to make, especially if it is your first time. The information below aims to help prepare you to make a shiva call. Learn how to give…
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Dear Dawn: I read where you said that parents should decide how they want to be buried and tell their children. That all sounds good, but my wife is Catholic and determined to be buried in a church cemetery. I’m Jewish and I really don’t care where I’m buried, except that I do not want to…
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My son’s wife’s grandfather is dying. He is in his 90’s and his body has given out. He told his granddaughter that he is ready to go and has stopped eating in order to facilitate his exit. As you can imagine, she cries every day. He lives states away and she and my son call…
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Participants at the consecration of the Gan Yarok cemetery in Mill Valley in 2010 (Photo/Amanda Pazornik) This Mixed and Matched article was originally published in the J-weekly in July 2017. Another interfaith quandary to share! I am the daughter of an interfaith couple who are uncomfortable with my decision to be a Jewish adult. When…
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A wonderful couple I know have five grown children who are interracial and intercultural. The Chinese mom converted before marriage and is now trained as a mohel. The couple raised their children Jewish and Chinese. Yup, they got asked questions like, “Are you adopted?” “Is your mother Jewish?” “How come you’re in a synagogue;…
Read More »Our weekly email goes out to hundreds of interfaith couples & families in the Bay Area. Topics cover the many questions and mysteries that interfaith couples want answered.