Chevra Kadisha Conference
Netivot Shalom to Host
North American Chevra Kadisha Conference
Netivot Shalom will be hosting the 7th North American Chevra Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference from June 7th - June 9th , 2009. The conference is sponsored and organized by two organizations, Kavod v'Nichum, an organization devoted to promoting traditional Jewish death, burial, and mourning customs within the Jewish community, and the Jewish Cemetery Association of North America. Past conferences have drawn approximately 150 attendees from the U.S., Canada, and Israel who are involved in all aspects of chevra kadisha work, including rabbis, rabbinic students, chevra kadisha participants, chaplains, cemetery administrators, and funeral directors. This year's conference promises to have an exciting agenda that will take up new challenges to those involved in this sacred work. For example, plenary and workshop sessions are slated to address the issue of cremation within the Jewish community. Other sessions will address the physical and spiritual aspects of tahara (ritual purification and preparation of the dead for burial), nechama (comforting mourners), and maintenance and administration of Jewish cemeteries. All congregants are invited to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to learn about the mitzvah of kavod hamet and nichum aveilem. Moreover, grant money has been made available by the Jewish Federation of Greater East Bay to help offset the cost of conference registration. To register for the conference, and to fill out a scholarship application, go to www.jewish-funerals.org and click on 'conference' at the upper left hand corner. If you have questions about the conference, contact Carol Cunradi at cunradi@sbcglobal.net