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.
From the Jewish-Hungarian poet most widely known for “Eli, Eli”
An article describing the custom of planting a tree in memory of a loved one
A ceremony which adapts traditional texts and facilitates an individualized ceremony to honor those whose memory we wish to perpetuate
Traditional memorial prayer recited at funerals in which God is asked to gather up the soul of the departed for eternal life
This beautiful psalm is often read at funerals or memorial services
Developing a ritual for the dissolution of a home
Based on the Parasha Lech L’cha, this meditation urges the mourner to move forward in life
A tradition honoring a Torah reader at a funeral
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
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