One of the bay area synagogues recently sent out these three links to assist their members in renewing or learning the details of Jewish mourning. There are the kind of things you want to know in advance. Interfaith couples should consider whether these practices have meaning for the Jewish partner as well as whether they…
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A dear friend just lost his non-Jewish father. My friend was not raised Jewish but has chosen Judaism as an adult. Grief has impinged on his Jewish confidence and he keeps turning to me and asking, “Is it alright for me to do this?” His father, Dale, specified that he wanted to be cremated. Is…
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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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