The Jewish Federation, in cooperation with Beth David, Temple Concord and Temple Israel, will hold an adult education brunch program, “Chevrah Kadisha – Sacred Mitzvah,” on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am-noon hosted at Temple Israel. The event will feature Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of the Vaad Harobonim of Queens, who has been called “one of New York state’s experts on all things chevrah kadisha.” The brunch will begin at 10 am and be prepared by Victor Torres. The cost of the brunch is $10. Zohn will begin speaking at 10:30 am. Participants may opt to join the program via Zoom here, meeting ID 840 9736 1294 and passcode Minyan18. For more information, contact Temple Israel at 723-7461 or e-mail at titammy@stny.twcbc.com. 

“We are looking forward to hearing Rabbi Zohn teach participants about the holy task and honor associated with the chevrah kadisha,” said organizers of the event. “Among Ashkenazi Jews, the chevrah kadisha, a mutual beneficial society, was established to properly prepare a body for burial in accordance with Jewish law and custom. Chevrah kadisha from the Aramaic literally means the holy brotherhood.”

Organizers continued, “Do you have questions about the chevrah kadisha? For example, people may want to know, How do we prepare our loved one’s for burial? When did Jewish communities begin this practice? Is everyone eligible to be part of the chevrah kadisha?” Anyone with questions should send them to Rabbi Geoffrey Brown at rabbigbrownti@gmail.com for the question-and-answer portion of the program.