Resource Library
Welcome to the Kavod v’Nichum Resource Library. Here you will find a variety of content including resources for Chevra Kadisha, information about Jewish end-of-life rituals and practices, helpful and interesting resources from our partner organizations, and more.
Check back often as we regularly add new content.
Kavanah: A Shmira-Inspired Resource
Inspired by the intention and ritual of Shmira, guarding over the soul of the deceased and offering prayers of comfort, we welcome the community to take time to remember and honor the lives taken during the recent events in Israel by engaging with ritual and liturgy....
Taharah Manuals
A Taharah Manual is a guidebook filled with steps and prayers for those providing taharah, the ritual washing and dressing of the deceased. Manuals are also extensions of the Chevra Kadisha, the Sacred Community of those who provide care and comfort during end-of-life...
Zayin Adar Traditions
Zayin Adar, the 7th of the Hebrew month of Adar, is the day that Moses died and because God buried Moses, the Chevra Kadisha is “off duty”. Commonly, it is a day for the members of the Chevra Kadisha to honor their sacred work together as a group. We surveyed our community to learn how different groups gather and are happy to be sharing the responses with you.
Gender Inclusivity in the Chevra Kadisha
From the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston: The Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston performed its first tahara in December 2013. Since that time we have grown into a hevra comprised of 150 volunteers. Our mission statement includes the following...
A Doula’s Guide to Jewish Rituals at End of Life
This is an excerpt from a resource that was written for the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) by Karina Totah and Sarit Wishnevski and is designed to be a guide for Doulas who are seeking wisdom about Jewish end-of-life rituals. Click here to read...
Tachrichim: Burial Garments
There is a Jewish tradition of burying the deceased in simple white linen garments called tachrichim. They are made from 100% white linen with no zippers, fasteners, buttons, or metal. In modern tradition, the tachrichim consist of a shirt, jacket, pants, head...
Taharah Demonstration
Taharah Demonstration Videowith Extensive Q&A Sections Featuring Rick Light and members ofthe Atlanta Chevra Kadisha Filmed at the 8th Annual Kavod v’Nichum North American Chevra Kadisha andJewish Cemetery ConferenceJune 6th, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia At the 2010...
Taharah Ruchanit / Spiritual Taharah by Rick Light
In July of 2020, we were in the midst of the worst worldwide pandemic in recent history, with many communities in lock-down, over 500,000 dead worldwide, and many millions of people infected. International organizations and the Israeli Ministry of Health banned...
Taharah Safety Recommendations from Kavod v’Nichum
Updated March 18, 2022 After two years, we can definitively say that the Coronavirus is still with us. We can also say that we know much more now about how Covid-19 is spread, and how we can significantly reduce the danger of disease acquisition by taharah teams...
Seudat Havra’ah, The Meal of Condolence
Jewish ritual life often intersects with symbolic foods and at the end-of-life, the Meal of Condolence is that moment. The Meal of Condolence is the first full meal that the mourners eat upon returning home to begin sitting shiva, the seven-day period of mourning...