Death & Mourning

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While Judaism places great emphasis on our lives in this world, death is an inevitable end for all of us. Often Jews who have been distant from traditional Jewish practice for their whole lives seek the comfort of traditional Judaism in the face of death. For mourners, whose lives are often turned upside down by death, the traditional practices of mourning can provide structure and comfort. Here you will find resources that address each aspect of the process of navigating death and mourning—from the moment of death, to the burial of the body, the tearing of clothes, the weeklong practice of shiva, and the recitation of kaddish.

 

Latest Rituals

This lovely ritual can be adapted for the loss of any animal companion
“May we have the time /  to navigate our grief / with grace / at a pace  all our own. “
Maggid Eli Andrew Ramer shares a variety of new prayers including a Kaddish and Vidui for the planet.
“Grief sneaks up on you / It taps you on your shoulder…”
“God who weeps with us all, / hold my aching heart…”
“May we rise in peace, as different creatures…”
This creative ritual can be done during a Yizkor service or other gatherings focused exploring on death, dying and legacy.
This guided meditation is designed to be part of a Yizkor service,
“May the love that fills our souls bring peace to our troubled minds.”
“One day, maybe, the Kaddish won’t scrape my throat raw…”

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