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.

Hebrew Free Burial Association Community Chesed Day

Hebrew Free Burial Association Community Chesed Day

Join us this Sunday for our 3rd annual Community Chesed Day as we help clean, clear, and maintain our historic Silver Lake Cemetery.

For more information, or to sign up, please contact our office at (212) 239-1662.

Or sign up through Facebook at, http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61205273860.

For more information about HFBA, please visit www.hebrewfreeburial.org

DATE: Sunday April 26

TIME: 12:00-2:00

LOCATION: Silver Lake Cemetery

926 Victory Boulevard

Staten Island, NY

Weather Permitting

Directions to

Silver Lake Cemetery

926 Victory Boulevard

Staten Island, NY 10301

From the Verazzano Bridge:

Staten Island Expressway (I-278 W)

Take exit 13 to Richmond Rd/Clove Rd

Bear right at Clove Rd

Turn right at Victory Blvd

Silver Lake Cemetery is on your right

From the Goethals Bridge:

Take Goethals Bridge to the Staten Island Expressway (I-278)

Take Exit 12, Todt Hill Road/Slosson Avenue

Turn Left onto Slosson Avenue

Turn Right onto Victory Boulevard

Silver Lake Cemetery is on your right

HFBA in the NY Times!

Yesterday's NY Times featured a full length story about the Hebrew Free Burial Association.

If you haven't read it yet, here's a link to the story.

On Staten Island, a Jewish Cemetery Where All Are Equals in Death

Where's Your Password

Several years ago, YAHOO came under scrutiny for not giving parents access to their deceased son's e-mail. Their son, a United States soldier, was killed in Iraq, and they hoped to retrieve his e-mails. YAHOO argued that giving the parents access would be in violation of their privacy policy. After negotiations, the parents eventually received access to their son's e-mails.

When putting together documents for my safety deposit box, this story came to mind. I decided to include a document with my user names, passwords, and access codes, for important websites I frequent; my e-mail, banking, investments, etc..,. If G-d forbid, something should ever happen, I would want my family to have access to my e-mail, especially since my e-mail could just as well be my auto-biography. All my e-mails are saved, and one after the other, they tell the story of my life, what I've done, what I'm doing, and what my thoughts are on different topics.

Last week, I saw an article on MSNBC that touched on this issue. Methods to inform one's online community upon your death. Online communities are a new reality for many, and its important to remember our online lives when preparing for our real world end.

A Deal To Die For

A Deal To Die For: Funeral director offers free funeral for construction work on his apartment

What will they think of next!