When a Jewish person dies in prison, there may be nobody to organize or pay for the burial. The chaplains at Hinda Institute are often called to help facilitate the logistics for a Jewish burial.
Sometimes we are the "only family" for our clients on the outside as well. All Jewish lives have meaning and value and deserve funerals that are done with the respect and dignity deserving of a Jewish soul.
We want to thank Chicago Jewish Funerals
for their generous sponsorship.
Hinda Hero
CIRCLE OF GIVING
Rabbi Shneur Scheiman had been visiting a Jewish man; M at the prison hospital for over 6 years. During that time, M was happy to put on tefillin (phylacteries) and reconnect with his Judaism and G‑d. At some point due to his illness, his arm became too weak and the tefillin bothered him. Rabbi Shneur Scheiman and M decided to put tefillin on his head only which continued monthly despite him being in a terrible mood most times due to pain.
Rabbi Shneur Scheiman continues: "For the past few months, he was so moody and weak that he did not agree to put on any Tefillin, but we continued to visit him and tried to make him smile. On Monday August 26th, I had my monthly visit to that prison. I considered skipping the visit to this man, figuring that he'd likely not be interested in even talking. I decided to go to him anyways. He was sitting up in a wheelchair (usually he's in bed) and looked relatively good. I asked him if he would like to put on Tefillin. He said "Yes". Seeing that it may be possible this time, I asked if we can put Tefillin on his arm, something he hadn't done in many, many months. He agreed. I carefully wrapped Tefillin on his shriveled arm, making sure not to cause him discomfort. Together we recited the Shema (Jewish prayer attesting to belief in one G‑d). His soul must have known that this was the last chance- 10 days later, his soul returned to its maker. " Who knows what the mission of M's soul was in this world, but in some way he did good and returned (did teshuvah). The circle of caring and story does not end here however. We needed to give M a Jewish burial. Mr. David Jacobsen of Chicago Funeral Homes once again stepped up to the plate. Despite the fact that we have imposed on him time and again, he obviously has a tremendously kind Jewish heart and empathizes with human suffering. We now just needed to transport the body. Another client of ours L who had been out of prison for 17 years empathized with this other Jew he did not even know and donated the $750 for the transport. This was a true example of community and "chesed shel emet"; real charity without recompense.
We want to thank the mysterious L for his kindness and Mr. Jacobsen for his continual kindness support which is above and beyond the call of duty and finally our chaplains for never giving up hope.
|