Jewish How-To Part 1: Adam (human) to the Adamah (earth): Jewish Burial Traditions and New Technologies

Jewish tradition’s founding father, Abraham, paved the way for what we think of as traditional Jewish burial. Today, there are now a multitude of options for how we attend to bodies after death. Join Rabbi Melanie Levav in conversation with Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky, author of a groundbreaking rabbinic opinion paper paving the way for new practices around green burial. From questions about Alkaline Hydrolysis to Natural Organic Reduction, join Shomer Collective as we dive into this cutting-edge topic, guided by Jewish wisdom and values.

Speaker: 

Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky is the Rabbi at Ansche Chesed in Manhattan since 2001 and was ordained in 1997 by The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He regularly publishes essays on Jewish thought and practice, and has served on the Conservative movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, including publishing a teshuva (ruling) on Alternative Kevura (burial) methods. 

In conversation with:

Rabbi Melanie Levav is the founding Executive Director of the Shomer Collective. In Jewish practice, a shomer (Hebrew: guard) sits with the body of the deceased from the time of death until the time of burial, accompanying the soul on the beginning of its journey in separating from the body. Shomer Collective seeks to accompany individuals and families on their journey to plan for end of life, by curating resources that elevate Jewish wisdom, values, and practices. Melanie was ordained as a rabbi ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, is a board-certified chaplain, and a licensed social worker.