Parshat Vayechi, which deals with the end of Yaakov’s life, has become a Shabbat on which end of life issues are discussed. Whether it is the importance of formulating a will or the need for explicit end-of-life directives and proper funeral planning, failure to plan is planning for failure. This year though, there is one area that needs to be urgently addressed - what the National Association of Chevra Kadisha is calling The Cremation Crisis. At this time, the cremation rate among Jews is at 50% at least, and that number is only projected to rise. It is important for any of us in a position of influence to be able to speak about this and try and change the minds of those who are considering this route, so that we can help promote and preserve Jewish burial. In fact, neither shiva nor mourning rituals are held for a person who is cremated. This Shabbat afternoon, I will be discussing some halachic issues relating to cremation and how halachic authorities dealt with this issue when it began to become more widespread.
Hakarat HaTov Corner
I am grateful that an organization like Chaveirim of Dallas exists to help people out of tight spots (this is a Dallas branch of a national organization). In the most recent wintry weather, they were on call non-stop helping people shut off the water supply to their house and cleaning up after burst pipes. They have helped people get into homes or cars when they were locked out, and I have personally benefited from their services. as they helped give me a jump when my battery died. According to some of their volunteers, not enough people in the South Eruv know about them and what they do. Most of their calls come from up north. Please visit their website; find out what they do and see if you can help, if not as a Chaver, then as a supporter. If needed, please avail yourself of their services, too. The number of their emergency line is 214 814 0109. Last Week’s MSOTW
Congratulations to Meyer Denn and Simon Raphael for correctly identifying last week’s MSOTW as the Great Park Synagogue in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, a recreation of the former Great Synagogue on Woolmarans Street. The Senior Rabbi of the shul, Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, tells the story of how the move happened in this video . Extra points to Meyer for remembering that I referred to this story in a Yom Kippur sermon of three years ago!
MSOTW
No pictures this time… A prominent person at one time associated with this shul was knighted by King Charles several days ago as part of his New Year’s Honours. Name the person, and name shul (hint: there are several correct answers to the shul part, and any and all will be accepted). Extra points if you send me a picture of it. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
