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Bereavement

bereavement

B'nai Israel is committed to responding quickly and compassionately and to offering guidance in accordance with Jewish tradition.  Our rabbis are ready to provide necessary information and greatly-needed support to mourners as they make funeral arrangements, conduct shiva minyanim, and help plan memorial markers. Our congregation cares for its mourners and works to ensure that they do not face life’s difficult moments alone. We maintain contracts with area funeral homes to make it easy for our members to plan a traditional funeral at a reasonable cost.

May God comfort you among the other mourners of our people.

Rabbi Michael J. Safra

See below for Mortuary and Cemetery information.

Please follow these steps if a death has occurred or is imminent

1. Contact Rabbi Michael Safra. If you need to reach Rabbi Safra after hours, please call the main synagogue number 301-881-6550 and follow prompts for emergencies.

2. Contact Hal Ossman, Executive Director for information on purchasing a plot at one of B’nai Israel’s cemeteries.

Mortuary Information

It is helpful to plan ahead when selecting a funeral home or cemetery site. We have funeral home contracts with area Jewish funeral homes to make planning easier for our members. Learn about pricing by contacting Hal Ossman, Executive Director.

Cemetery Information

For information about B’nai Israel’s Oxon Hill Cemetery, or our sections at Judean Memorial Gardens or Garden of Remembrance, follow the links above or contact Hal Ossman, Executive Director.

Important resources

B'nai Israel's Guide to Death, Dying & Jewish Mourning

Our Bereavement committee recently completed a helpful and practical guide for individuals dealing with the challenges of death, dying, and bereavement. Click here to download a copy.

Kavod V’Nichum
Organization

Excellent resource on the Jewish way of death, dying and mourning, as well as information specific to the Washington DC metro area including local funeral homes and monument providers. Visit www.jewish-funerals.org for more information.

Bereavement
Committee

The Bereavement Committee supports our clergy and professional staff in assisting members who have suffered a loss. We participate in the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington, which provides additional resources online at www.jewish-funerals.org.

Caring Committee

We reach out to families from within our congregation who have experienced a loss. Our goal is to create the experience of community, strengthening the relationships that bind us together. We are always looking for new volunteers— training provided—to visit shiva homes and deliver a meal on our behalf.

Thu, February 12 2026 25 Shevat 5786