The Neshama Foundation is here to help. Our goal is to help people understand the importance of giving their loved ones a true Jewish burial. In the short time that we've been open, our members have been through some incredible experiences. Here is one such story that happened just a few weeks ago.

Stacey*, a Jewish woman married to a Catholic man who raised her 3 children Catholic, had made pre-arrangements to cremate her father upon his death. He was home from the hospital to spend his last days on this earth in the comfort of his own home. Someone from the community connected Stacey to The Neshama Foundation and she was put in touch with Sam*. Being a spiritual person, she asked that he come say prayers with her dying father who was a Jew. Sam went over, said prayers with the father and spent the next few hours speaking with Stacey, only leaving the home at 10:00pm. Later that night, Sam’s phone rang. It was Stacey calling about her father who had just passed away, and wondering what to do. She was so grateful for his being there earlier to help her father, that now she wanted to give him the care he deserved. By 8:30 AM the cremation plans were changed, and at 2:00 PM the next day, Stacey’s father was buried per Jewish tradition. The story does not end here.

One year later, on the Yahrtzeit of her father, Stacey called Sam to let him know how much he had helped their family grow. She was now lighting candles every Friday night, and all three of her children were enrolled in a Chabad Education Program.

It was through a loss, that this woman found an opportunity to come closer with G-d, her People and herself. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The comforts from our rich traditions can cause a powerful change in a person’s life. We must be willing to spread its beauty within our communities. Even the smallest act can make a difference.

* names have been changed to protect their privacy.