New Chevra Kadisha to hold shabbaton at Dor Hadash

(Editor’s note: This is a revised version of the story originally posted.)

The New Community Chevra Kadisha of Greater Pittsburgh will present a shabbaton program the weekend of Feb. 15-17, with Rabbi Regina Sandler-Phillips, director of Ways of Peace, a community resources group.

Sandler-Phillips will first speak, Friday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. at Congregation Dor Hadash, in the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha synagogue, 5898 Wilkins Ave, Squirrel Hill. The title of her talk will be, “Jewish Interlife: The Invisible Points of Connection,” which looks at what the Torah portion Teruma, modern geometry and astronomy, and newborn swaddling teach about Jewish “interlife” An Oneg Shabbat will follow the presentation.

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Sandler-Phillips will again speak, Saturday, 12:30 p.m., at Congregation Beth Shalom, in a program titled “Vigil-Keepers for the Morning: The Significance of Sh’mira.” This program will provide a 21st century orientation to the traditional vigil over the dead prior to burial. It will approach sh’mira as the heart of honoring the dead; accessible melodies, chants and songs for keeping the vigil will be shared.                          Kiddush lunch will precede the

program.

The rabbi will hold a teaching session Sunday morning for members of the New Chevra Kadisha and speak at the chevra’s 7th of Adar Dinner Sunday night.

Congregation Beth Shalom, Temple Sinai, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation are co-sponsors of the shabbaton.

A singer trained in both classical and folk music traditions, Sandler-Phillips draws upon Jewish melodies and songs for healing through loss. She is the founding chair Emerita, a 75-member sacred burial fellowship and simple Jewish funeral plan in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The New York Jewish Week, The Jewish Daily Forward.

Ways of Peace promotes peaceful coexistence, justice and kindness through spiritual support, community learning, personal guidance, professional consultation, and innovative resources for contemporary life challenges.