Blog

Mourning practices in Judaism are important yet extensive, and it can be confusing to understand just how to conduct oneself in order to observe the mourning rituals during the times of holidays and festivals. Since preparing for funerals and mourning happens very quickly in the Jewish faith, providing these basic...

As a Jewish Funeral Director who volunteers to help in the community, I am often asked to present in front of 7th-grade classes at local Hebrew schools. 7th grade is the time when the Jewish Life Cycle is taught, and I am often tasked with explaining the Jewish views on...

Planning birthdays and vacations take time, but they’re also more enjoyable to plan because they’re enjoyable occasions. It is completely understandable that planning for your funeral, or a loved one’s, can be depressing, anxiety-inducing and just not fun. As much as you may not look forward to addressing the details,...

This will be my second Mother’s Day without my mother.  Not only is it difficult to feel appreciative during this annual time of giving thanks, but the traditions, rituals, and gatherings I often associate with the holiday tend to emphasize the fact that a she is not present.  I found...

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families, and we at Jerusalem Memorial Chapels are here to help families in any way we can.  The Federal Government has initiated a program to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.  No matter what...

In years past, the chairs around our seder table were filled with family and friends who join to retell the story of our enslavement and our redemption. The Passover seder is more than a history lesson, for each of us is instructed to see ourselves as if we had personally...

A traditional Christmas is beginning, the whole town is expected to shut down. The stores will be closed; the LIE will be wide open; kids will be at home peeking through the blinds looking for a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer; not a creature will be stirring…Well, except for Chinese...

This will be my second Thanksgiving holiday without my mother, and although 2020 has made celebrating the holiday unique, I still feel her absence.  Thanksgiving Day can feel particularly sad to me. Not only is it difficult to feel appreciative during this annual time of giving thanks, but the traditions,...

One of the most commonly asked questions I receive as a funeral director is, “Who does the family need to notify when a loved one passes?”  When dealing with the weight of a loss and settling their affairs, the list of items that must be taken care of can often...

The High-Holidays are supposed to be a time of reflection, optimism, and joy.  Given what has become a culture of distancing, the pressure to try and hold onto some form of family togetherness, and the weight of mourning a loss, this time of year can be very painful.

When a family member dies, the mental list of things that must be taken care of can seem endless. Besides the funeral, there are bills, credit cards, utilities, government programs, and other items, all of which can add to the stress of dealing with the loss.

I am often asked questions about the upcoming funeral services and how to prepare for them. One of the most common questions in the past few years has centered on what a person attending a funeral can and should wear.

It should come as no surprise that when you die, your family is responsible for settling your estate. If you’re like most people, the thought of writing a will may seem morbid, but it is very beneficial to understand why it is important to have a will.

The eulogy you deliver for a loved one can be a very important moment in the healing process. Many people feel they don’t have the ability to keep their composure while speaking in front of family and friends. I am writing to let you know it is possible to deliver...

Funerals serve as a solemn time to gather and remember a loved one’s life. There are many factors to consider when it comes to funeral etiquette, such as what to wear, whether to bring a child with you and at times, the way to use your cell phone.

Many grievers find writing an obituary in honor of a loved an outdated form of memorialisation. There have been widespread myths about the art of life storytelling that devalue the practice of writing an obituary when a loved one passes away. Here are a few of the myths and some...

As the Coronavirus epidemic in the New York Metro Area enters its third week of quarantine, we all seem to be stuck in a nonstop news cycle that can lead to undue anxiety about COVID-19. Many people are understandably sharing concerns and talking to their family and friends, and at...

As a Jewish Funeral Director who volunteers to help in the community, I am often asked to present in front of 7th-grade classes at local Hebrew schools. 7th grade is the time when the Jewish Life Cycle is taught, and I am often tasked with explaining the Jewish views on...