http://jcam.org/Blog Where Past, Present, & Future Become One Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:15:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The  Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative movement), recently published the following Responsa regarding the burial of non-Jewish spouses and family members on Jewish cemeteries. The Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts has been ahead of the curve for over 10 years at its Beit ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2010/03/16/the-burial-of-non-jewish-spouses-and-children-on-jewish-cemeteries/ This recent article, written by Sue Fishkoff was published by JTA, the Global News Service of the Jewish People, June 8, 2009. Because we believe this topic is deserving of attention, we chose to publish it in its entirety on this blog page.  Your comments are welcome. BERKELEY, Calif (JTA) - ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/06/22/national-jewish-burial-society-tries-to-stem-increased-cremation/ The Mitzvah of Burial in Traditional Jewish Sources And HaShem G-d formed man of the dust from the ground (Afar min ha adamah), and He blew into his nostrils the soul of life; and man became a living being. Bereshit 2:7 (Genesis 2:7) HaShem collected from the ground of the four corners ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/06/18/for-you-are-dustand-to-the-dust-you-shall-return/ The following remarks were delivered by Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce,  Plenary Speaker at the 7th Annual North American Chevra Kadisha & Jewish Cemetery Conference, held in June 2009, Berkeley, California. Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce, PhD Congregation Emanu-El – San Francisco, California To set the tone for my remarks this morning, I have to ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/06/18/ground-burial-cremation/ The Status of Children of Mixed Marriages They say if you ask 2 Jews a question, you'll get 3 answers. But when it comes to the question of what defines a person as a Jew, that's a whole other story....Is it one who is born of a Jewish mother only? Or ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/01/27/who-is-a-jewthe-question-of-patrilineal-vs-matrilineal-descent/ The ancient practice of tearing clothes is a tangible expression of grief and anger in the face of death. Reprinted with permission from The Jewish Mourner's Handbook (Behrman House), by an editorial committee chaired by Rabbi William Cutter. Kriah is a Hebrew word meaning "tearing." It refers to the act of ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/01/27/kriah-or-rending-a-garment-in-grief/ The custom of placing a monument over the grave of a departed person is a very ancient Jewish tradition. The Book of Genesis, for example, records that Jacob erected a tombstone (Matzevah) over the grave of his wife Rachel. From Biblical times onward, wherever Jewish communities have existed, Jews ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/01/27/the-meaningful-tradition-of-unveiling-a-monument/ My First Taharah by Anonymous Imagine for just one horrible moment that you have died. Your soul is hovering over your body, and you are frightened and confused. "What is going on? Am I dead? What happens now?" You see two strangers come in and start preparing your ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/01/26/252/ Jewish Cemetery Etiquette The following is an excerpt from Author Maurice Lamm’s highly respected book, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. The subject of proper conduct at the cemetery is generally neglected. The consequence of this neglect is, frequently, gross impropriety and a super-abundance of superstition. There are ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2009/01/26/jewish-cemetery-etiquette/ When I visit the graves of my parents and grandparents, I always make sure to leave a small stone--a kind of "calling card" that I was there, remembering.  As a matter of fact, during the traditional cemetery visitation period, prior to the High Holidays, I went to visit the graves ... http://jcam.org/Blog/2008/12/02/the-stones-left-behind/