Woodside_park Synagogue

Shiva

This article outlines the basic steps one should take in preparation for a shiva.

A candle should burn throughout the Shiva period - these can be bought at Jewish delicatessens and bookshops. Some burn for one day, some for three or seven days; there is no rule as to which should be used.

Two candles in candlesticks should burn during every prayer service. These may be extinguished and used more than once.

It is the custom to cover the mirrors in the home of the mourner, in the rooms that he or she will use (there is no need to cover television screens). The coverings can be removed for Shabbat.

Mourners are the parents, brothers and or sisters, spouse or children of your loved one. These are the only people for whom the laws of mourning apply. If other relatives, such as stepchildren or adopted children wish to be considered as mourners, they must consult their local Rabbi.

All mourners should have non- leather footwear ready to put on after the funeral, which should be worn throughout the shiva.

All mourners should sit on low chairs, which can be obtained from Woodside Park Synagogue. Please contact the Deanna in the Office (020 8445 4236). If mourners have problems sitting on low chairs they should consult the Rabbi.

It is usual that some visitors will bring items of food, or will offer to prepare meals.

It is not the practice to offer refreshments to visitors unless they come from a long distance.

A shiva house should not be treated as a social occasion and traditionally visitors wait for the mourner to initiate conversation.

Visitors may wish the mourners "Long Life" or may pray that they be comforted among the other mourners.


Sitting Shiva is the ancient and uniquely Jewish way of mourning. It shows on the one hand our bereavement and loss and on the other it provides members of the family, friends and community a way of giving us comfort and drawing us back into life.

See below a video produced bythe United Synagogue explaining "How to Sit Shiva - Mourning at home"



Below is a list of Board Members assigned to attend Community Shivas each week


Date Board Members on Duty
18 Sept M. Karp H. Kaye
25 Sept G. Lyons L. Mason
02 Oct D. Morris A. Plaskow
09 Oct G. Simon S. Woolf
16 Oct M. Baxter D. Brull
23 Oct N. Cohen R. Cohen
30 Oct D. Conway C. Harris
06 Nov M. Karp H. Kaye
13 Nov G. Lyons L. Mason
20 Nov D. Morris A. Plaskow
27 Nov G. Simon S. Woolf
04 Dec M. Baxter D. Brull
11 Dec N. Cohen R. Cohen
18 Dec D. Conway C. Harris
25 Dec M. Karp H. Kaye
01 Jan G. Lyons L. Mason
08 Jan D. Morris A. Plaskow
15 Jan G. Simon S. Woolf
22 Jan M. Baxter D. Brull
28 Jan N. Cohen R. Cohen
05 Feb D. Conway C. Harris
12 Feb M. Karp H. Kaye
19 Feb G. Lyons L. Mason
26 Feb D. Morris A. Plaskow
04 March G. Simon S. Woolf
11 March M. Baxter D. Brull
18 March N. Cohen R. Cohen
25 March D. Conway C. Harris
01 April M. Karp H. Kaye
08 April G. Lyons L. Mason
15 April D. Morris A. Plaskow
22 April G. Simon S. Woolf
29 April M. Baxter D. Brull
06 May N. Cohen R. Cohen
11 May D. Conway C. Harris