Innovation

Today, everything is about new and improved. 2.0 and 3rd generation are so outdated; it's time for 3.0 and 4th gen. New products and new innovations. The non-profit world is also under siege with demands to innovate. Donors want to see new and exciting programs. 21st century ideas.

However, at HFBA, this raises a dilemma. How do you innovate sacred and ancient burial rites?

The answer is you don't. The rites are the same. However, there are other areas where innovation are appropriate. Looking through original burial applications from the early 1900s, one sees handwritten records written in Yiddish. Several years later, English is used. By the 1940s, all of our applications were typed. In the late 1980s, our intake was done using DOS based computer programs. And since 2004, we've been using  custom web based data management software.

How do we reach out to our donors? In addition to mail, HFBA sends out monthly e-News updates about our programs. Within the past few years, we've maintained active Facebook and Twitter profiles. We have this blog. And last month, we initiated a monthly YouTube video (in addition to our other HFBA films).

No matter the cause, there is room to innovate. HFBA has embraced this cause. Hopefully, you'll take advantage of some of what we offer. And if you do, tell us how we're doing.

Emulating G-d

The first in what we hope to be a regular series of videos about issues of death and dying from the Hebrew Free Burial Association.

Videos?

We're planning on a video blog series for 2010.  There are many topics to discuss.  Kaddish.  Cremation.  Keil Maleh.  Tachrichim (burial shrouds).

Is there a topic that you think we should cover?  Please let us know!

info@hebrewfreeburial.org

Thank you.

We need to bury 14% more people with 10% less money

As you've noticed, the Chesed Shel Emes blog has been neglected.  With an increased presence on Facebook and Twitter, the blog has lagged behind.  Hopefully, that will change, and the blogging will continue.

Let me start with this.

We have all been affected somehow by the economic downturn.  Goods and services cost more, and perhaps we're making less.  Unfortunately for HFBA, we've been hurt as well.  From two ends.

Our caseload is up 14% in 2009 over 2008.  And our 2008 caseload saw an 11% increase over 2007.  Meanwhile, our donations are down this year by 10%.

We need to bury 14% more people with 10% less money.  


Fortunately, we are up to the challenge.  We will bury over 300 people this year.  And we will be there for those who need us.  But we do need your help as well.  Please consider a donation to HFBA.  Partner with us in performing chesed shel emes so every Jew will receive a proper and dignified Jewish burial.

Parshat Chayei Sara Campaign

Every year, HFBA asks congregations to designate the Shabbat of Parshat Chayei Sara to raise awareness of our important mission. This year is no exception. What is an exception is however:

• In 2009, our caseload has increased by 15%
• Our donations are down during this economic downturn
• The need for our services is more crucial than ever

It is essential for HFBA to continue to provide funerals and burials for those who cannot afford it, as we have done for 120 years.

We are turning to our friends with the following request:

Please ask your Rabbis and Synagogue lay leaders to assist with our efforts. Include HFBA in the weekly sermon. Allow us to send you materials to display in your lobby. Arrange a group of volunteers to Silver Lake Cemetery.

We appreciate your support during these difficult economic times. If we can help you, please don't hesitate to call us at (212) 239-1662.

Hate Still Exists

Last year, in a post about the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, I wrote:

Our children need to be taught about the injustices of history. Whether it is the Holocaust, or the historical oppression of African-Americans in the United States, or the current genocide in Darfur, we need to teach and inform others about history.

Hate exists. We need to educate our children that hate is wrong. We need to educate ourselves about hatred throughout history. Otherwise, society is doomed to a continuance of hate and intolerance.

Yesterday was a sad reminder that hate shows no boundaries, not even age.  The mindless murder of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was made more shocking when it was revealed his killer was 88 years old.  Someone was so hateful, that they devoted their entire life to propagating that hate.

We need to reaffirm our commitment to eradicating hatred from the world.  And we need to teach our children to be tolerant of others.  We don't have to agree with everyone.  We're entitled to believe whatever we'd like.  But we can't confuse disagreement with hatred.  That is a very dangerous leap.

Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns served heroically, and gave his life standing up to hatred.  His memory should inspire us to continue the mission of the museum,  "to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy."

How is the Yahrzeit determined?

The yahrzeit is the anniversary of death according to the Hebrew calendar.  It is observed annually, by saying the kaddish prayer in shul, lighting a candle, and some have the custom of visiting the cemetery as well.  It is also a meritorious practice to give tzedakah (charity) as a merit for the deceased.

What information is needed to determine the yahrzeit? 

If the Hebrew date is known, then that is the yahrzeit.  If you don't know the Hebrew date, the yahrzeit could be calculated using the English date.  The full date is needed (month, day, and year). Time of death matters too.  The Hebrew date begins at sundown.  So it is necessary to know if the deceased passed away before or after sundown.  If its after, than the yahrzeit is on the next day.

The Hebrew Free Burial Association offers a yahrzeit reminder service.  If you would like to be reminded several weeks prior to the yahrzeit of a friend or loved one, please contact our office at (212) 239-1662 or info@hebrewfreeburial.org, and we'll establish the reminder service for you.

Click here for a free online utility that can convert the dates for you.