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Bereavement/Chevra Kadisha/Cemetery
Chevra Kadisha, Bereavement & Cemetery committees
Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha)
Thu, February 25 2021
13 Adar 5781
Chevra Kadisha During the Pandemic
(posted April 6, 2020)
Note from Lynne Sandler, Chair, Chevra Kadisha:
A Chevra Kadisha Committee was established at Agudas Achim Congregation in 2001, with this mission: To honor the dead, by caring for them according to the dictates of our Jewish Law. To honor the living, by caring for them according to the dictates of our humanity.
Our chevra kadisha has three groups:
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Shomrim, the people who perform shmirah – the act of guarding or watching the deceased before the funeral.
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The people who perform tahara, the act of preparing the deceased for burial by performing ritual washing and dressing of the deceased.
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Bereavement - the group that gives support to the family before and during shiva.
We are fortunate to work with Jefferson Funeral Home, whose staff is familiar with and supportive of Jewish funeral practices. They have dedicated a room for shmirah and have set aside a room equipped for tahara. Their staff is very cooperative with any of our requests.
It is with great sadness that I have to announce that during this pandemic, we are suspending tahara and shmirah (shomrim). Rabbi Rein and I have worked with Jefferson Funeral Home so that we can still honor our deceased. In addition to what the funeral directors will do for our deceased, a member of our chevra kadisha will read special prayers before the casket is closed. Thank you for your understanding.