26 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2019 continued from page 24 the deceased) and nichum aveil- im (comforting mourners) with- in the bounds of Jewish law. “This new resource will allow such families a warm, intimate setting by which their friends and extended family can offer them comfort, ” he added. While the Mandell Berman Administration Building was being renovated, Clover Hill decided to renovate its near- ly 100-year-old cherished Davidson/Hermelin Chapel as well, putting in new bathrooms, new carpeting, a new rabbi’ s study, which will provide a pri- vate room for families to meet with the rabbi, as well as a new live-streaming video service. The renovations were com- pleted at the end of the summer and “requests to have services and eulogies in the chapel have already increased, ” Orley said. The Berman Shiva Center can accommodate 50-60 people , Raznik said. The center holds a reception area open to families that has the feel of a living room. There is a kosher kitchen area, and kosher food can easily be brought in, she added. The build- ing also has a conference room/ eating area. Windows have been added to the back of the building to provide a peaceful view of Clover Hill’ s historic grounds. The Berman Shiva Center is open to anyone in the commu- nity, even those who don’ t have a burial at Clover Hill Park. Call (248) 723-8884 to find out about fees. Clover Hill recently hired a program coordinator to man- age the Berman Shiva Center. “We are overwhelmed with the response we’ ve been getting from the community, ” Orley said. “People think it’ s a great idea. We are coordinating many of the resources you will need during this time. ” Clover Hill is planning an open house event soon for rabbis and funeral directors to tour the Berman Shiva Center. “Many have already been here,” Orley said. “But we look for- ward to showing everybody what we created.” Additional plans can serve the community in the near future. According to Orley, the newly renovated Davidson/Hermelin Chapel will be able to hold cul- tural events, such as author talks and films on topics of interest to the community, such as death, mental illness or ethical wills, for example. Also, work is under way to upgrade the cemetery’ s mapping system. According to Raznik, the entire cemetery is being mapped and photographed and, once integrated, visitors will be able to search for a loved one and get directions to specific gravesites through Google Maps. Once complete, online burial searches will be available on your phone, at the cemetery kiosk or from the Clover Hill Park Cemetery web- site, cloverhillpark.org. Clover Hill is also working with the nonprofit ReBoot to connect the life stories, photos and memories of loved ones right from the cemetery website. “Everyone I’ ve talked with is enthusiastic about the new Berman Shiva Center, upcoming programs and the technological advances we are bringing to the cemetery and to the community, ” Raznik said. Added Starr, “In so many ways, Clover Hill Park Cemetery continues to expand its ability to serve modern Jews and to care for them with the dignity, warmth and compassion that Judaism demands of us in walk- ing through the valley of the shadow of death. ” Jews in the D “This new space will provide an opportunity for families holding shiva or unveiling their loved one’ s marker to sit together in a quiet, relaxed space,” says Rabbi Aaron Starr.