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continued from page 18
to everyone who attends his funeral.
opened Hebrew Memorial Gardens,
The chapel has handled funerals for the nation’s first “green” Jewish cem-
members of the Purple Gang and for
etery.
the manager of the Four Tops.
In 2013, Hebrew Memorial Chapel
Rabbi Bunny Freedman, founder/
started the Adopt-a-Kaddish project,
CEO of the Jewish Hospice and
enlisting volunteers to say the annual
Chaplaincy Network, said Hebrew
memorial prayers for children who
Memorial provided invaluable help to
perished in the Holocaust. About
his family when his father, Avraham
400 children have been adopted by
Abba, the founder of Yeshiva Beth
individuals and congregations. Jewish
Yehuda, died unexpectedly in 2002.
prisoners all over the country partici-
“He had a plot in Israel on
pate.
the Mount of Olives, but the
Now Hebrew Memorial
intifada was raging and the
is trying to save lives by dis-
Mount of Olives was inacces-
tributing free car magnets
sible,” Freedman said.
with the slogan, “Don’t text
“My father died on
and drive … we’d rather wait.”
Shabbos, when we couldn’t
Periodic programs allow
do anything, but by 9 p.m.
teenagers to experience how
that night we were able
texting affects their driving
Rabbi Aaron Starr performance.
to have a service for 1,000
people. Hebrew Memorial
Hebrew Memorial handles
helped us find another plot in
about 300 funerals a year.
Israel and made arrangements
They work with all area
for us to travel before we even
Jewish cemeteries and with
knew which cemetery we
clergy of all denominations.
were going to.”
“Making sure our loved
The cemetery has its
ones receive a proper burial
share of machers (important
is among the most sacred
people), too. In May 1948,
of Jewish obligations,”
Rabbi Robert
the Stoliner Rebbe, Yaakov
said Rabbi Aaron Starr of
Gamer
Perlow, died during a visit to
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
his followers in Detroit. He
“The staff of the Hebrew
had burial shrouds in his bag, which
Memorial Chapel provide the highest
his disciples took as a sign he should
quality of compassionate service. They
be buried here. His grave has become
bring each of us closer to God and
a pilgrimage site for Stoliner Chasidim support our community in fulfilling
from all over the world.
the mitzvot of honoring the deceased
There’s also a grave for some bone
and comforting the mourners.”
fragments from the Treblinka concen-
Rabbi Robert Gamer of
tration camp, which had been sent
Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak
to the late Rabbi Charles Rosenzveig,
Park said, “The Metropolitan Detroit
founding director of the Holocaust
Jewish community is truly blessed to
Memorial Center.
have the Hebrew Benevolent Society
as an integral part of our community.
One is never able to tell the differ-
INTO THE FUTURE
ence between funerals of those who
In this century, the Hebrew
can afford to pay and those cannot. I
Benevolent Society has developed
say yasher kochachem (may they gain
some innovative programs.
in strength) to them in their sacred
The chapel was the first in the area
work.” •
to webcast funerals for people unable
to attend. In 2012, the cemetery
We are an in-home service provider for the elderly, ill and disabled.
We assist with personal care, home making and more up to 24 hours.
We are insured and bonded.
Call 248-262-7111 or 313-272-1222
4PVUIåFME3E 4UFt4PVUIåFME.*
XXXITITTMMDPSHtITITT!BUUOFU
Manis Friedman Lecture
Chesed Shel Emes, the Hebrew Benevolent Society will celebrate its 100th anni-
versary at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, with a lecture by eminent author and rabbi
Manis Friedman at Hebrew Memorial Chapel, 26640 Greenfield in Oak Park.
Friedman is a leader of the Chabad community in Minnesota. He was the
founder of Bais Chana Women International, a yeshivah for women, at which he
continues to serve as dean.
His book, Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore? (Harper San Francisco), was praised
by reviewers. He hosts a cable TV series, Torah Forum with Manis, and has been
interviewed by numerous publications and TV shows.
A film about his philosophy, The Lost Key to Intimacy, was voted best docu-
mentary at the 2015 Houston International Film Festival.
There is no charge, but because of limited seating, Hebrew Memorial Chapel
suggests making a reservation at (248) 543-1622 or info@hebrewmemorial.org.
The lecture will be webcast for those who cannot attend.
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May 18 • 2017
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