Chevra Kadisha: A Key to Building Stronger Jewish Communities

The Jewish community has always placed a deep emphasis on celebration: the joy of B’nai Mitzvahs, the sanctity of weddings, the warmth of Shabbat dinners, and the connection of holiday gatherings. But what happens when the celebration stops, and we are left to face life’s most challenging moments? Too often, we push these experiences aside, treating the end of life as peripheral rather than fundamental to our communal identity.

The past 16 months have been marked by moments of profound loss for many communities. From global tragedies to personal grief, these experiences have revealed gaps in how we approach mortality and care. Yet, within Jewish tradition lies a profound framework for navigating these moments: communal care and end-of-life rituals that honor the deceased and comfort the living.

This shared grief underscores the importance of frameworks that support us through mourning and memory. Having strong and intentional end-of-life care should be deeply intertwined with Jewish life. It impacts the living, families, friends, and communities who prepare, grieve, and support each other as much as it honors those who have passed. By strengthening end-of-life practices, we are not merely addressing death; we are affirming life. We are building resilience, connection, and a shared commitment to care that reverberates through every stage of the life cycle.

Among many, there is a perception that addressing end-of-life care detracts from fostering a thriving Jewish life. In reality, this work is essential to it. Preparing for the end of life brings comfort, clarity, and a sense of agency that allows individuals and families to live more fully.

While end-of-life conversations may not be as inherently joyful as celebrating the b’mitzvah of a young community member, engaging with mortality leads to greater opportunities for comfort and freedom from anxiety. They remove the burden of uncertainty and create space for more intentional living.

Our rabbis didn’t shy away from these conversations, and they are embedded in our traditions. Rabbi Eliezer taught, “Repent one day before your death,” prompting his students to ask, “Does a person know the day they will die?” His response, “All the more reason to repent today, lest one die tomorrow,” emphasizes the importance of living each day with awareness and readiness for our mortality. (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat 153a)

Imagine the possibilities if we fully embrace this vision. Right now, an incredible framework already exists in our tradition: the Chevra Kadisha, or “holy society.” These sacred groups of volunteers come together to honor the deceased and comfort the living through Jewish end-of-life rituals. What if every Jewish community had one? Imagine the transformative power of such care embedded in the fabric of our communal life. How much deeper could our connections go? How much more supported would grieving families feel? And how much more whole could we all become, knowing that this sacred care is not just an aspiration but a reality we can bring to life?

Chevra Kadisha reflects the best of Jewish values: compassion, dignity, and connection. By pushing these practices to the side, we lose an opportunity to hold each other through life’s most vulnerable moments. But by embracing them, we normalize the conversations our ancestors didn’t shy away from, transforming grief into care and mortality into meaning. This is the missing link in our communities today.

When we embrace these practices and deepen our connections, we create a world where we can live more joyful, full, and meaningful lives. Together, we can transform how we show up for one another, ensuring that the care and compassion at the end of life echo throughout all stages of life.