I will always remember one of the first taharot I did around six years ago. As I washed and combed the hair of the metah I saw the image of her mother combing her hair as a small child, and then I saw a lover caressing her hair.
She had been a child loved by parents, and then had been loved and caressed by a young man, loved as a wife, mother, and grandmother. I felt all of those who had loved her present. I was the conduit for their love. I felt love for her as if she had been my daughter, and hoped someone would do the same for my daughters when they died. After the taharah we all shared that we had been similarly touched by the love of the metah, and felt that many had loved her.
The next day I got a call from the taharah leader to share what she had seen at the funeral. It was a large, very loving family. The metah had many grandchildren and great grandchildren whose lives she had obviously touched deeply. None of that was a surprise.
Ever since this taharah I have always loved the hair washing. It is during this process that I am able to love the deceased, even though I might have never met her before. That taharah opened my heart and taught me how to love a stranger.
Nancy Dotti is a student in the Gamliel Institute, and participates in a Chevrah Kadisha.
Kavod v'Nichum Conference!
Join us for an unforgettable conference in beautiful Austin, Texas, Feb 22-24, 2015 at the 13th N. American Chevrah Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference. Visit the Kavod v’Nichum’s Ø Ø Reserve a Ø Plan your Mark your calendar, and get ready to come learn, network, and have a fabulous time!
A TASTE OF GAMLIEL
UPCOMING GAMLIEL INSTITUTE COURSES
Starting in May:
Chevrah Kadisha: Educating, Organizing, & Training. Tuesdays. 12 online sessions. (Orientation session on Monday May 11th, classes start the 12th). 8-9:30 pm EST. Working with and educating the members of the Chevrah Kadisha, your congregation, the community, other organizations, and the public. Includes undertaking a project that will have practical and real world effect, and will also serve as information and a resource for others.
Chevrah Kadisha: Nechama. Thursdays. 12 online sesions. (Orientation session on May 11th, classes start on the 14th). 8-9:30 pm EST. Helping to provde practical skills, tools, and resources for those providing comfort at all points along the spectrum from approaching final illness through death and on the journey of grief and mourning, using texts, videos, role plays, discussions, and chevruta study.
You can “>jewish-funerals.org/gamreg. Contact us for more information about scholarships or any other questions. info@jewish-funerals.org or call 410-733-3700.
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