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Episode Notes
What if the way we honor the dead could transform the way we live?
In this episode of The Buried in Work Podcast, Sarit Wishnevski , Executive Director of Kavod v'Nichum, explores the ancient Jewish rituals that bring meaning, comfort, and connection at the end of life—and how they can change the way we approach our own lives.
For centuries, the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society) has ensured that no one faces death alone. But in today’s modern world, many of us avoid thinking about mortality altogether. What if embracing these traditions could help us live with more purpose, gratitude, and intention?
Key Takeaways
-
Why end-of-life rituals matter
—and how they’ve been helping people find peace for over 400 years.
- Death isn’t just about loss—it’s about love. The rituals we create around death are really about how we care for one another in life.
- We avoid conversations about death, but we shouldn’t. Understanding what we want at the end of life helps us live more intentionally now.
- Grief doesn’t have to be lonely. Community rituals—whether religious or not—can help people find comfort and connection.
Show Links
- Website: www.kavodvnichum.org
About Sarit Wishnevski
Sarit Wishnevski (she/her) is the Executive Director of Kavod v’Nichum. Prior to joining the organization Sarit trained as an end-of-life doula through INELDA (International End Of Life Doula Association) and produced a podcast and a newsletter called The Be.Side Project which focused on where Judaism intersected with the end of life. Sarit has worked for a number of Jewish organizations that seek to weave connections to ancient Jewish rituals and values through modern connection and understanding. Sarit lives in Maplewood, NJ with her partner, Ari and their two-year-old daughter, Adira. She is a member of the Chevra Kadisha at Congregation Beth El in South Orange, NJ.
