Shiva
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News I lost my non-Jewish aunt. Could I sit shiva for her?
At the start of this year, I received news that my aunt, who lived in Scotland, where my mother and her seven siblings were born and raised, had lost her nearly five-year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. That following Friday night proved more difficult than I could have anticipated. I’m in my senior year of college,…
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News Never ‘enough time to grieve’: Has American culture changed shiva for the worse?
When Rabbi Michael Goldman sat shiva for his mother last April, friends and relatives brought over noshes like chickpea kale stew and Israeli sweets. Goldman, who coordinates senior programs at Westchester Jewish Community Services, found himself crying and crying, he said, falling apart in front of guests — including some who he hadn’t known well…
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Life COVID-19 changed shiva traditions — will one of the most beloved ever return?
The Jewish tradition of shiva — the week-long period of mourning following the funeral of a first-degree relative — is all about community. The custom invites mourners to surround themselves with friends and family, to receive hugs and food and the support that can only come from being physically present with loved ones. That all…
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News How to plan a shiva in less than two days
Since shiva starts right after the burial of the deceased, there isn’t much time to plan for it after someone dies. Planning a shiva at all – let alone in two days – can feel stressful or overwhelming, particularly as the news of the death is fresh and emotions are raw. This quick guide, which…
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News What to expect attending your first shiva
Whether it’s a bris, bat mitzvah or a shiva, there’s a ceremony for every aspect of Jewish life — and death. But when it comes time to observe these moments for the first time, the anxiety that sometimes surfaces can be unnerving. Sitting shiva, the traditional week-long mourning period following a funeral, is no different….
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News An unveiling without a headstone? A shortage challenges grieving families
Funerals during the pandemic are tough enough, with many bereaved families unable to invite more than a handful of relatives for fear of spreading COVID-19. But now, a new obstacle challenges mourners: a national shortage of headstones. Jewish families who held small funerals were hoping to have more normal unveilings a year later. But now…
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News Five Shiva traditions from around the world
At a typical American shiva, the seven-day period of mourning following a death in the family, a series of traditions are observed — doors are left unlocked, food is brought by community members and lots of time is spent remembering loved ones lost. Jewish texts and historic traditions have given mourners a guide to all…
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News Five shiva traditions, explained
Like any Jewish tradition, shiva comes with a history of customs and rituals that date back centuries. While some basic customs, such as staying home and having guests over, happen at most shivas, many other traditions can look different – depending on a family’s cultural background and religious observance. Whether you’ve never been to a…
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