Kavod v’Nichum’s Gamliel Institute Awarded Grant from The Covenant Foundation

Press Release – January 13, 2013

Michael Slater, President of Kavod v’Nichum’s Board of Directors, today announced that The Gamliel Institute has been awarded a $102,500 Signature Grant by the prestigious Covenant Foundation. The funds will be used over three years to develop Gamliel’s fifth and final course in its core curriculum of Chevra Kadisha study, examining the customs, liturgy and rituals surrounding Jewish end-of-life practices.

“Kavod v’Nichum’s mission has been to reclaim the Mitzvot of caring for our own by advocating the return to traditional Jewish funeral practices within the context of the community where the individual belongs,” Slater said. “The Gamliel Institute was formed in 2009 on the belief that a core body of Chevra Kadisha knowledge covering the entire end-of-lifecycle continuum was needed to provide comprehensive education for the future of this movement.”

Gamliel Institute’s Dean, Rabbi Stuart Kelman, described the Signature Grant as allowing the Institute to ” . . . mark the culmination of efforts that were first envisioned in our formation; to develop and teach a comprehensive Chevra Kadisha curriculum for an emerging cadre of leaders.”

The Gamliel Institute’s Course 5 – Ritual Practice in the End of Life Continuum – will be offered beginning Jan 6, 2015, and will include a series of online study sessions and conclude with a 16-day Chevra Kadisha study mission to New York City, Prague, and Israel to study Chevra Kadisha history, customs, rituals and liturgy

Gamliel Institute’s Executive David Zinner described the Signature Grant from the Covenant Foundation as “wonderful recognition of our mission and our methods. The Covenant Foundation honors outstanding Jewish educators and supports creative approaches to programming. They believe those with the creativity and passion to be catalysts for change and innovation in Jewish education are worthy of recognition and support.”

For more information about Kavod v’Nichum and The Gamliel Institute, visit www.jewish-funerals.org , email info@jewish-funerals.org, call (410) 733-3700.