New HFBA Videos

We're proud to announce the debut of two new HFBA videos.
Hope you enjoy. Please feel free to leave us comments.

Talleisim Needed

Dear Friends,
Due to the increase in people the Hebrew Free Burial Association has been called upon to bury this year, we currently have a shortage of Talleisim on hand.  Sadly, our numbers are up over last year's, and last year was our busiest year in the past 10 years.

If your synagogue has any Talleisim that are not being used and could be spared to help HFBA perform our important work, please send them to:

Mount Richmond Cemetery
420 Clarke Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10306

Please include a note with your name and address so we can properly acknowledge the donation.

Thank you for your continued support.

Don't Cremate

A recent article on msnbc.com asked the question, "Did Winehouse's funeral violate Jewish law?"  The answer sadly is that since Amy Winehouse was cremated, that was a violation of Jewish law and tradition.  Our bodies were born into this earth whole, and when we pass, they are to be returned to the earth whole as well.

What can we do to prevent more cremations from occurring?  The most important thing is to let our wishes be known, preferably in a legal document, that when we pass away, we want to be buried and not cremated.  Then, we need to discuss our choice with others, and let them know that we hold burial to be sacred.  Engage friends who may not know that cremation is against Jewish law.  Tell your children that cremation is wrong.

There is much work to be done on this front, but it is important to take sad stories in the news, and use them as teachable moments in the fight against cremation.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

On March 1, HFBA remembered the 22 victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire who were buried in Mount Richmond Cemetery.  A moving video was produced of the event which can be seen below.

To read media accounts of the ceremony, please visit http://www.hebrewfreeburial.org/TriangleFire.htm

On March 25, we're holding another ceremony, to coincide with the anniversary of the fire.