About three weeks ago I was asked to participate in a Taharah for a 42 year old whose family has been long term members of Congregation Shearith Israel, often called The Spanish Portuguese Synagogue on the West Side of Manhattan, the first synagogue in the US established in 1654 in New Amsterdam. (before it was called New York). They call me from time to time when they need help. They do their Taharahs a bit differently (I told the Rabbi …
Tag: custom
An article appeared in the British press regarding the Banwell cemetery in Somerset which after a long existence is running out of space. The possible solution: Coffins to be stacked four deep just inches from the churchyard surface ; bodies would be dug up and reburied in deeper ground and the names of the newly buried person would be added to the headstone.( 1) The Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church and the Muslim Council of Britain have all …