Episode 22.
In this Bonus episode, Barbara Neustadt talks about Tahara, the sacred Jewish tradition of washing and preparing a body for burial. As co-President of the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston, and a member since its founding in 2013, Barbara has a wealth of knowledge and personal experience. She generously and clearly explains the structure and process of Tahara, as well as who participates. Barbara also describes the broader community aspects, some challenges that have come up over the years and the spiritual richness involved.
Perhaps because most of us do not think much about death and what happens to a body afterwards, this episode is a rare opportunity to learn about the Jewish tradition – what it is, how it works and the value of participating as a volunteer.
Highlights:
· The liturgy for tahara is based on minhag (tradition) not halakha (law) and each hevra kadisha has a slightly different liturgy.
· Hevre Kadisha are historically synagogue based. Each synagogue would have its own.
· Performing tahara is the ultimate act of kindness (chesed shel emet), because the person cannot return the favor.
· Team members find the work spiritually moving, and helps them think a bit more about death.
· Tahara is available to all Jews – Conservative, Reform, Reconstruction and unaffiliated – not just the orthodox.
Quotes:
“Anyone and everyone with the proper training can be part of a hevra kadisha.”
“What I experience is a profound sense of connecting to death, in a way that normally we don't connect.”
“It's hard to find words to express it. It's quite moving, sometimes very emotional, and to be sharing that with other women is a profound experience.”
“In terms of the Jewish piece of it, it feels for me that I'm carrying on an ancient ritual, albeit we've tweaked the liturgy and changed certain things. But it's inherently an ancient ritual of our people and that feels very, very moving to me.”
“Sometimes weeks later I'll get a call or an e-mail from somebody: ‘I need to talk. That was a tahara that was difficult for me’.”
Social Media link for the Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston:
Website – https://www.hevrakadisha.org
Social Media links for Méli:
Email – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
Transcript:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/11383380-22-bonus-tahara-a-jewish-tradition-with-barbara-neustadt/edit
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