Lifestyle/Community
Above and beyond
MICHAEL SIEFF
We were founded, 127 years ago, on the dual objectives of welfare and burial and, although our welfare responsibilities have expanded exponentially and now far exceed our cemetery ones, those remain our primary obligations. Entrenched in that unique culture is the understanding that those with the ability to pay for our services, do so, but those who are destitute are cared for at the community’s expense.
When it comes to funerals, sad as it may be, there are sometimes people who are alone in the world, who have no family, no real friends and whose funerals are attended… by no-one. No-one, that is, except the Chevrah Kadisha.
As expected, we arrange for the collection of the body; our staff and volunteers carry out the Tahara (preparation for burial) and we conduct the funeral service.
A resident in one of our aged homes passed away under such circumstances recently. The Chev’s Religious Services is headed by Group Rabbi Jonathan Fox who provides spiritual support to residents in all our facilities and to people in the community who are unaffiliated and in need of guidance.
The rabbi arranged for a minyan to be present and for kaddish to be said at the graveside. He also saw to it that prayers were held at the Home in memory of the deceased person and appointed a gentleman in our employ to say kaddish every day for the full period of mourning, 11 months.
It is, most certainly, above and beyond the call of our duty. But it’s well within the parameters of the Chev’s essential culture and values.
And that’s what makes me so privileged to be part of this remarkable organisation and the remarkable community that supports it.
May our partnership continue to thrive.
