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A Loving Call from the New York Board of Rabbis for Stringency at Cemeteries

April 20, 2020/in articles /by G4Developer

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April 6, 2020; Nisan 12, 5780
No words can express the depth of pain felt by our grieving families during this unprecedented period. We as rabbis seek to bring them the spiritual strength and support they so deeply need. It hurts us to see mourners denied the comforts that ritual proximity affords.

But we must also recognize that the principle of pikuach nefesh requires us to make exceptions to our time-honored funeral practices in order to protect human life, health, and safety. Clergy and community must find alternative ways to show comfort and condolence in these times.

Out of a deep sense of love for our colleagues and our constituents’ wellbeing, we call on one another to conduct funerals according to the most cautious standards possible while the COVID-19 pandemic persists.

  1. Ideally, clergy should not be physically present at burials. They may conduct burial rites remotely (i.e., by virtual means). When clergy feel they must be present, they should practice extreme caution (social distancing, masks and gloves, etc.).
  2. No more than four mourners should physically attend a burial. Ideally, none should attend. Cemetery staff and funeral directors should be entrusted with all procedures of burial.
  3. Clergy are encouraged to conduct funeral services online using Zoom or a similar platform – attended virtually by all mourners and guests who wish to participate – followed by a simple burial at which no clergy or mourners are present (or are present only according to the strict guidelines outlined above).
  4. Clergy should not feel pressured by mourners, directors, cemetery staff, or colleagues to exceed these guidelines. They are for everyone’s benefit.

These guidelines are aspirational, not regulatory. Every member of the community will, ideally, take it upon him- or herself to do everything humanly possible to protect life, even and especially as we show respect for the deceased and their mourners.

May The One Who Heals and Makes Whole give us the courage and stamina to weather this storm together. May we in turn give our communities the support they need to remain hopeful and healthy.

Rabbi Lester Bronstein, Past President
Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn, President
Rabbi Elie Weinstock, Vice President
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President
Rabbi Diana Gerson, Associate Executive Vice President
https://cajac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cajac_logo.jpg 0 0 G4Developer https://cajac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cajac_logo.jpg G4Developer2020-04-20 19:37:312020-04-24 19:42:57A Loving Call from the New York Board of Rabbis for Stringency at Cemeteries

Our Affiliate Organizations

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171 Madison Ave #1602, New York, NY 10016

“When you mention Jewish cemeteries in America, the interest is not always there. My feeling is, Jewish history is Jewish history and how could you allow Jewish cemeteries to fall into disrepair and be overgrown? CAJAC represents the Jewish community’s collective response to cemetery preservation and it is continuing to become backstop to take care of Jewish cemeteries in Metropolitan New York.”

Richard FishmanFormer Director of the New York State Division of Cemeteries.

CAJAC shares with the National Association of Chevros Kadisha (NASCK) a commitment to highlighting the Jewish community’s sacred duty towards end-of-life issues. I am pleased CAJAC continues to address the systemic challenges facing Jewish cemeteries,simultaneously sensitizing the Jewish community as it relates to its obligation to care for its cemeteries.

Rabbi Elchonon ZohnExecutive Director, NASCK
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CAJAC New York Office:  171 Madison Avenue, #1602, New York, NY  10016

CAJAC New Jersey Office:  9-20 12th Street, Fair Lawn, NJ  07410

Email:  info@cajac.org      Phone:  (914) 574 7057

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