"The highest act of gemilut chesed (acts of loving kindness) is that which is done for the dead, for there can never be any thought of repayment." (Tanhuma Vayehi 107A)
The Egalitarian Minyan, in association with Beth Emet, Lomdim and the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, is an active participant in the Progressive Chevre Kaddisha (PCK). Just as Minyan members celebrate births and bnai mitzva and Purim and Simhat Torah together, we also support each other in times of death and mourning.
In traditional Jewish practice, when an individual dies the met/metah (body) is prepared for burial in a specific and ritualized manner known as tahara. This preparation is the work of a community's sacred society or chevre kaddisha.
All minyan members are invited to participate in this mitzvah and the services of the PCK are available to all minyan members and their families.
For general information on ritual and practice related to tahara, please visit www.jewish-funerals.org.
If you have specific interest in the PCK, please contact Alan Hobscheid at ahobscheid@cookcountygov.com.