Voices
Tribute paid to the Chev for assisting with release of body
We would like to pay tribute to, and commend the Johannesburg Chevrah Kadisha for the outstanding service it performs for the community. Its expertise is widely known, but recently we had experience of just how much it goes beyond what is expected to bring comfort to the bereaved and ease the burden of the mourners.
Hilary Sharon and Monty Sassen, Pam Mackenzie, Riva Portman and Donna Abramson, Johannesburg
Our husband, father and brother, Mannie Sassen, passed away on Sunday evening, July 2. That an autopsy had to be performed was unavoidable, but because of the strike of the mortuary staff, the date of the release of the body could not be determined.
Between Steven Adler, David Weber and Phillip Kalmanowitz, who from the outset tried to hasten the release of the body, so much was done to explain to the mourners the delay and to arrange for the funeral to take place several hours later than scheduled, and to have the Mincha and Ma’ariv services conducted in the ohel at the specified times.
We thank the Chev for helping us deal with the stress we were under and for managing to maintain dignity under the circumstances.
We would also like to commend and pay tribute to Dr W P de Beer, the staff of ICU and Ward C and the reception staff of Linksfield Clinic. At all times that he was in hospital, Mannie was treated with above all, professionalism, love, compassion and kindness, as were his family.
They were fully aware at all times of keeping us informed and went so much further than that “extra mile”. He could not have had any better attention.
For that we will always be eternally grateful.
Kol hakavod to all concerned.