Twin conferences here attract wide interest
By Deborah Moon Seldner
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With an impressive collection of speakers committed and more than half of the hoped for attendees already registered, Congregation Neveh Shalom is gearing up for the first national conference organized by a local synagogue.
On June 11-13, Portland will host the first North American Jewish Cemetery Conference combined with the fourth annual North American Chevra Kadisha (burial society) conference. The joint conference will be sponsored by Kavod v'Nichum, an organization providing assistance and education in Jewish funeral practice for groups in the United States and Canada, and Portland's Congregation Neveh Shalom, with support from the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.
"This is only the third time the community is hosting a national conference," said Neveh Shalom Executive Director Fred Rothstein, noting that the Jewish Council for Publica Affairs (then known as the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council) and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation each selected Portland for national conventions. "But this is the first national conference where we are the inspiration, the developer, the creator, the co-organizer and the planner. This is a significant role and responsibility for a local congregation to play in a continental effort."
Considering attendance at past chevra kadisha conferences, Neveh Shalom has been planning for about 100 participants. But with excitement over the expanded focus of this conference and an impressive slate of speakers, more than 50 people have already registered for the June event.
The conference will feature Rabbi Elliot Dorff, who directs the rabbinical and master's programs at the University of Judaism and is the halachic expert for Mount Sinai's funeral practices, as the keynote speaker.
"This will be a total Jewish experience," said conference chair Harley Felstein. "These are dynamic people who will be talking about interesting topics—not just perpetual care. We are going to be dealing with topical and current topics."
Topics related to cemeteries will include intermarried burials, community responsibility for abandoned cemeteries, the perpetual care and maintenance of cemeteries, cemeteries and mortuaries software, cemetery management strategies, governance issues/decision making and halachic issues.
The chevra kadisha portion of the joint conference will examine educating families about traditional practices, tahara (preparation of the body) demonstrations, communicable disease and precautions, tahara liturgy and davening, non-profit funeral homes, shmira and emotional and spiritual needs.
Rich Light, who has attended the past three chevra kadisha conferences, will be working with members of Portland chevra kadishas to present the tahara demonstration. Members of local chevra kadishas who are interested in participating in the demonstration can contact Light at rxl@lanl.gov.
Since the conference starts on Sunday, Neveh Shalom is seeking volunteers who are willing to provide home hospitality for participants who arrive before Shabbat. Volunteers are also needed before and during the event.
To volunteer or for more information on the conference, contact Neveh Shalom Member Services Director Michelle Caplan at 503-246-8831, ext. 114 or mcaplan@nevehshalom.org.
Conference registration information is available online at www.jewish-funerals.org, click on the conference link. Discounted registration of $325 for the full conference is available through April 30. The Web site also lists per-day and per-session fees for local participants.
Conference sessions will meet at the Hilton Hotel. Early registration and hotel bookings are suggested since the conference falls during Portland's Rose Festival. A block of rooms have been set aside at the Hilton at a reduced rate for conference participants; mention the conference when making hotel reservations.