After recently reading about our service in the local press, Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel Synagogue here in Omaha, NE approached RestingSpot to participate in a special cemetery marking event for Kever Avot.
In the Jewish religion, the ancient custom of Kever Avot (“graves of the fathers”) takes place just before Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). Jews are encouraged to visit the graves of loved ones to pray for eternal rest for the departed and to ask God to aid the living. “Rosh Hashanah is a time to plan for the future,” said Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei of Sinai Temple. “By thinking of the legacy of those who came before us, we consider the legacy we want to leave.”
Scott Kroeger demonstrates RestingSpot for Joe & Maxine Kirshenbaum
Today, a group of people, spanning multiple generations, participated in a service and then worked together to complete the marking of Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Rabbi Gross & Miriam Gross using the app
“Taking the teens was a great experience!” Rabbi Gross exclaimed, “It connected them with the older generation and exposed them to the value of honoring those who have passed.” Participant David Atri noted, “It felt good introducing some of the older people to the technology.”
David Atri using the app
Clearly it was a meaningful experience for all involved. Aaron Kurtzman: “This was a great way to spend a Sunday with friends.” Max Pollack: “It was very meaningful putting in the names of people whose funeral we had attended.” And Max Winer found perhaps the most special meaning of all: “I entered in my grandparents and now I can use RestingSpot when I visit next time.”
Max Weiner and his parents find real meaning with RestingSpot
There’s no greater satisfaction we can think of that surpasses having a group come together for something like this. That is real meaning. After this incredible experience, we will be reaching out to local Catholic, Christian, Muslim and other Jewish organizations and engaging youth groups to share in Project RestingSpot. If you’d like to participate in your area, we’d love to hear about it, and we’ll help out however we can.
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