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Genizah: A Respectful Burial of Sacred Texts

10/08/2024 03:23:22 PM

Oct8

In Jewish tradition, a genizah is a sacred storage space used to house deteriorated or damaged religious texts and items that contain the name of God, such as Torah scrolls, prayer books, and tefillin. These items cannot be discarded in the usual manner. but are placed in a genizah, where they are stored until they can be buried in a Jewish cemetery, symbolizing a respectful return to the earth. This practice reflects deep reverence for the sanctity of God’s name and the sacredness of the written word in Jewish life.

Throughout decades of Temple life, Temple Beth El had accumulated hundreds of items, which were buried at Beit Olamim cemetery on September 15. Rabbi Jon Prosnit and Cantor Jacob Niemi led a short ceremony, where congregants were encouraged to take a book to be buried, place it in the ground, and shovel some dirt to place the earth over the books. It was a beautiful ceremony followed by a walk to Gan HaShalom, a garden that was envisioned, designed, and donated by Kathy and Tim Mazur. We gathered there for a discussion with Jim Stein, president of the Jewish Burial Association of Madison, and our TBE clergy. 

This meaningful genizah burial event would not have been possible without the generosity of many community members. We are grateful to the Jewish Burial Association of Madison for the donation of a burial plot at Beit Olamim cemetery, to Sunset Memorial Gardens for the donation of a vault and for the services they provide for opening and closing the plot, and to Jeff and Marv Levy for donating funds for the second vault needed for the large number of books we buried. We will remember this occasion as we honor the books and words that guided and taught generations of TBE congregants.

November 4, 2024 3 Cheshvan 5785