Funerals

A Jewish funeral is a sacred rite and should be invested with both dignity and simplicity as taught by Jewish tradition.

The Jewish way of dealing with death is one part of a larger philosophy of life in which all persons are viewed with dignity and respect. Our people believe that even after death, the body, which once held a holy human life, retains its sanctity. Our sages have compared the sacredness of the deceased to that of Torah scroll which, even when longer useable, retains its holiness. In Jewish tradition, therefore, the greatest consideration and respect are accorded the dead.

Jewish law and tradition have endowed funeral and mourning practices with profound religious significance.

If someone in your family has died, or is nearing the end of life, I can assist you in this time of transition or loss.

As a therapist, I can help you grieve. As a rabbi I can help you walk the mourner’s path using all the wisdom that Jewish tradition offers.

Whether the funeral we plan together is large or small, in a chapel or at graveside, together we can honor the deceased and celebrate the wisdom of a unique life.

I often conduct a funeral in partnership with my husband Cantor Jack Kessler. Together we can weave the musical richness of the traditional liturgy with the kind of deeply personal reflections that emphasize the profound personal dimension of the event – including, should you wish, ample opportunities for you and close relatives and friends to speak.

Please call me if I can be of service to you.

215-849-9227

Read my blog post on Shiva: A Time for Grief, and Healing