Some of the most meaningful work of a rabbi and a Jewish community happens away from public view.
For the past 23 years, devoted volunteers from our Chabad Naples family have helped serve through our Chevra Kadisha, the holy burial society.
Our committed volunteers just had the merit of performing the mitzvah of taharah for a beloved member of our community. Taharah is the traditional preparation of a person for burial, done with dignity, sensitivity, prayer, and deep respect.
In Jewish tradition, the body is treated with tremendous honor. It was the partner of the soul in every good deed a person did in this world. It was how a person gave a hug, offered a smile, held a child, gave charity, lit Shabbat candles, helped another person, and brought goodness into the world.
The neshamah, the soul, continues its journey. Through taharah, we accompany the person with love and dignity into the next stage of its eternal journey. Our sages call this a חסד של אמת, a chesed shel emes, “a true kindness,” because it is done for someone who can no longer say thank you.
With heartfelt gratitude to these devoted members of our community, and to all those who have helped with this holy work over the years.
A special thank you to Ettie for leading and coordinating the women’s Chevra Kadisha with devotion, sensitivity, and care.
May Hashem bless them for this holy work, and may every soul be elevated through the honor and compassion shown by our community.
