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When Someone Dies
When Someone Dies
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no harm, for You are with me. (23rd Psalm)
A synagogue is a place where we often share the great moments of our lives in the context of tradition. At no time is this more important than when one of our Beth El family experiences a death. Dedicated congregational members and staff are ready to help you as you grieve your loved one’s passing. In so doing, we hope that you, too, might someday identify with the journey of the Psalmist who was able to say, “You (G-d) turned my mourning into dancing. You changed my sack cloth into robes of joy.” (Psalm 30)
When Your Family Experiences a Death
When death occurs, despite the shock, you will be asked to make a number of immediate decisions. Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Zerin and our Executive Director Rabbi Howard Sowalsky (860-233-9696) are available to answer your questions, to guide you, and to help you make the appropriate decisions. Your first contacts should be with a funeral home and the rabbi. A family member or close friend can make the contacts for you. The Beth El office can help you with names of Jewish funeral homes in the area.
According to Jewish tradition, the burial takes place as soon as possible after death. The family will want to meet with the funeral director to select a plot (if not pre-arranged), an Aron (a casket) and to make any other necessary arrangements. Our rabbis will determine with you the time of the funeral in consultation with the funeral director. Funeral services are not held on Shabbat or major Jewish holidays.
The rabbi will visit with the family prior to the service to provide support, answer questions regarding Jewish Law, and provide any needed advice. Also at this time, the rabbi will gather information about the deceased from family members for the eulogy and help make preparations for Shiva (the seven-day period of mourning following burial).
If you plan for the burial to be in the Beth El Cemetery and have not already purchased a cemetery plot please contact Rabbi Sowalsky.
We can also help you with some of the ritual aspects of mourning, including covering mirrors and arranging your Shiva house. Please let the rabbis know if you would like to connect with our volunteer helpers.
Many in our community have found comfort after the death of a loved one by reciting Kaddish during morning or evening minyan. By Jewish tradition, we say Kaddish for a parent for 11 months after a death and for a sibling, child or spouse, for one month. Whether you are familiar with the prayer or are new to minyan or even to Hebrew, you will find a welcoming group ready to greet and help you.
Tue, January 31 2023
9 Shevat 5783
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023Morning Minyan & the World Wide Wrap with Men's Club!
Sunday, Feb 12th 8:45a to 9:30a
We invite you to join us for the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin in a minyan service. All our welcome in person. Breakfast will follow (RSVP Required). Cantor Joseph Ness will be speaking at the breakfast. Minyan attendees are encouraged to bring their own set of tefillin, but one will be provided if needed. Each minyan includes Kaddish for those in mourning and those observing yahrzeit and incorporates some English readings. We read Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as on Rosh Chodesh (the new month). At each service we read a list of names of those loved ones for whom yahrzeit is being observed. Our minyans are very welcoming to those who are saying Kaddish or simply want to sit in the comfort of a prayer community. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 24 , 2023Shababa
Friday, Feb 24th 5:30p to 7:00p
We invite you and your kiddos to welcome Shabbat at Beth El! Shababa is a fun, engaging evening for our youngest generation. Geared toward children 0-8 and their families, we invite you to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, and prayers, followed by a joyful Shabbat dinner experience for all (including dinner for the kids, and food for grown-ups, too!). RSVP below to join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Jason Kay for this fun program. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 26 , 2023Breakfast Program with Doron Sheffer, UConn Huskies and Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player
Sunday, Feb 26th 9:15a to 11:30a
Join us for a breakfast program with Doron Sheffer, Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player! Sheffer is a father of five and lives with his family in Moshav Amirim in the Galilee, Israel. Since 1988, basketball has been an inseparable part of his life. He played for the UConn Huskies from 1993-1996 under coach Jim Calhoun. In his first season, Sheffer was the Big East Conference Rookie of the Year. While at UConn, Sheffer formed a trio (with fellow starters Ray Allen and Kevin Ollie) that won the Big East basketball championship in three straight years. He is the only player from UConn with 1,000 points and 500 assists, in three varsity seasons. He has also played on several Israeli teams including the Israeli National team. In 2002, following a diagnosis with cancer, Sheffer thoroughly changed his way of life on all levels: physically, mentally and spiritually. Today, he is a writer & speaker, life coach and workshop presenter. He gives talks and workshops that appeal to a wide range of audiences of all ages, in which he tells his life story and provides tools and tips for a more healthy, happy and balanced way of living. In his most recent book, The Game of Life, Sheffer demonstrates the connection between body and mind; the physical and spiritual worlds; the basketball game and the world of the Torah; and past, present and future. On one court biblical Moses, Joseph the righteous and King David play with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. In his own unique manner, Doron uses the basketball game as an allegory for life and utilizes it as an educational and therapeutic tool that can help us win a much greater, more significant game than the one played on the basketball courts – a game he refers to as The Game of Life. The Game of Life will be available for purchase. Book signing will follow the program. RSVP Required. Any RSVPs after February 22nd or walk-ins will be accommodated at the discretion of the Men’s Club and will be subject to an additional cost of $5 per person. RSVP by Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Questions? Please contact Michael Bloom (860.983.3476 or michaelbloom820@gmail.com). This event is co-sponsored by Beth El Men’s Club and Israel Engagement Committee. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2023Mincha B-Mitzvah of Illy Sugarman
Shabbat, Mar 4th 5:30p to 6:00p
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 5 , 2023Purim Faire Extravaganza
Sunday, Mar 5th 11:30a to 1:00p
Join us for a Purim Faire Extravaganza! Suggested donation: $5/person Volunteers: needed to run booths, contact Liz edepalma@bethelwh.org Lunch: Prepared by Men's Club; items available for purchase