Tag Archives: Jewish Tradition

How Can Jewish Funeral Traditions Help Families Cope with Grief?

An interview with Rabbi Me'irah, Part One

Today, SevenPonds speaks with Rabbi Me’irah, a San Francisco-based rabbi and visual artist. After earning a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University, Rabbi Me’irah spent 15 years in the field. Along the way, she reconnected with her spirituality and … Continue reading

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The Judaic Tradition of Ethical Wills

Ethical wills have been part of Jewish heritage for generations

An ethical will — also known as a “legacy letter” — is a document that bequeaths not material goods, but ideas and values. For Jewish people, ethical wills are a recognized part of how their faith is passed on from … Continue reading

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“Cremation or Burial? A Jewish View” by Doron Kornbluth

A case advocating burial over the increasingly popular practice of cremation

Modern society tends to prefer cremation: it is perceived as cheaper than a burial, more environmentally sound, and, well, just more hip. To the contemporary person, “the idea of scattering ashes seems a eco-friendly alternative” to burial. The idea of … Continue reading

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How Can We Plan A Memorial Service? An Interview with Rabbi Sara Shendelman

Rabbi Sara Shendelman discusses the services she offers for people planning a memorial service for a loved one

Today, SevenPonds speaks with Rabbi Sara Shendelman, a rabbi and cantor as well as a former ordained minister. Currently based in Berkeley, California, she officiates all types of weddings and conducts memorial services, both interfaith and Jewish, for individual families. … Continue reading

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Traditional Jewish Burial Rights

How non-orthodox Jews are reclaiming traditional Jewish burial rituals

It is hard to believe that it was just a few years ago when Hal Miller-Jacobs, a non-orthodox Jew, created “an inclusive Jewish burial society” for the Greater Boston area. The society has already made enormous strides for those in … Continue reading

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