News
The Value of Advance Funeral Planning
Why arrange your funeral, or that of a loved one, in advance? The reasons are many. Death is one thing that will happen, so the option is either to be prepared or unprepared. The skilled, dedicated and compassionate staff at Chicago Jewish Funerals will guide and companion you. Having worked in end of life for decades, I have seen first-hand
THE 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON HELP, HEALING AND HOPE AFTER LOSS
PRESENTED BY THE JEWISH HEALING NETWORK AND THE LAURI S. BAUER FOUNDATION FOR SUDDEN LOSS GRIEF AND THE FAMILY: FINDING BALANCE AFTER LOSS Dr. Janice Nadeau engages audiences with her inspirational blend of warmth, humor and compassion. Her professional work includes more than 30 years as a Psychologist and Hospice Nurse helping families navigate end of life and loss. In
Israel’s One Armed Warrior
Izzy Ezagui, an American who joined the Israel Defense Force and had his arm blown off during battle, only to fight for the unprecedented right to return to combat, will be in Wilmette on Sunday, April 30th to share his message of courage, struggle and determination. While he continues to serve in an elite unit in the reserves, Izzy delivers inspirational talks
Willow House Guest Speaker Night
Dear Friends, Willow House is proud to host the 2nd in our series of Willow House Guest Speakers Night on Thursday April 27th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. We are honored to welcome David Jacobson, Founder & Funeral Director of Chicago Jewish Funerals. David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the
Getting Our Hands Dirty
We typically do not like to “get our hands dirty.” But there is one exception. Jewish tradition is for mourners to use their hands to place earth into the grave of a loved one. We get our hands dirty in the service of burying a loved one. We do not let machines do our work. It is an ancient custom, perhaps one
Jewish Community Networking Night
We are proud to sponsor the Spertus Jewish Community Networking Night on Wednesday, April 5th from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. As co-sponsors with Wolfgang Puck Catering, we are honored to support this wonderful organization and to help make this event a success. Every year, Spertus Institute hosts a gathering for the professionals and volunteers who serve Jewish Chicago. The
How did Nonnie get to Heaven?
When the Brown triplets grandmother dies, they hear from everyone that she is now in HEAVEN. They learn that it is a wonderful place to live, but no one can tell them “how” she got to her new home. Using their imagination, the children come up with delightful ways to understand this important “journey”. This book explores the life-cycle event
Fine Art by Marcia Marshall
Grief has it’s own rhythm, it ebbs and flows as it must. One person in this process, Marcia Marshall, a Chicago area portrait artist, began drawing portraits of loved ones who have passed away as part of her healing journey. Touched by the energy and passion of her work, Chicago Jewish Funerals has invited Marcia to share her evocative portraits
The Value of Ritual
Having worked in end-of-life for over 30 years, I have repeatedly witnessed the value of ritual in helping bereaved family & friends navigate loss. When notified of a death, there is a natural tendency to offer food or practical help, such as picking up relatives at the airport, assisting with housework or grocery shopping, notifying others, or just being present,
From the Rabbi’s Study
Dear Friends, Winter always seems to have more than its share of loss. Whether it is because of the frigid weather, the lack of daylight, or just a reflection of our natural environment, death seems to make its appearance with greater frequency, adding gloom to the season. And this year has been no exception. When I meet with families who