Appreciation for Rehfeld  

I agree with everything the Jewish Light wrote about [Jewish Federation of St. Louis President and CEO] Andrew Rehfeld in the Dec. 26 editorial “The Remarkable Rehfeld Record.” However, there’s more that I’d like to add.

In addition to attending what seemed like every Jewish event, he was everywhere in the wider non-Jewish St. Louis community. He understands that to be a thriving Jewish community, we have to be part of a wider thriving community and he never missed a chance to be present at and represent us in so many non-Jewish settings.

When I attended an Urban League event, he was there. When I attended events having to do with Ferguson, he was there. He cared about the immigrant and refugee community. If diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work was going on anywhere in our community, he was there.

He sees tikkun olam as working in and repairing our whole community, in addition to the Jewish Community. He was always cultivating allies and building bridges to the other communities in our region. He was always celebrating our differences, and sharing our religion, culture and history. He always showed us that he wants to be part of a world where everyone thrives, including the Jews.

I hope the selection committee for our next head looks for these characteristics. I want his work to continue.  

Karen S. Kalish, Clayton 

Halacha and cremation 

In response to the Jewish Light’s Dec. 26 article, “Jewish cemeteries ponder future as cremations rise, burials decline,” I feel compelled to speak out. Rabbi James Bennett is quoted as saying “after studying Jewish law… There is no clear, halachic, textual proof that cremation is not permissible.” This is preposterous; it is simply wrong and misleading. 

Granted there is nowhere in the Torah that says straight out that cremation is forbidden but that does not mean that it is not clear that in truth it is halachically forbidden. A novice cursory Google search will bring up an abundance of articles written that explain the reasons, and there are many, that cremation is in fact prohibited, together with their many sources. The basis for the prohibitions stems from many different sources within the Torah itself and with the help of our accepted, preeminent halachic authorities, we can clearly see and understand why cremation is not allowed.  

For starters see the following websites: 

• http://bit.ly/halachic-view-of-cremation

• http://bit.ly/judaism-and-cremation

Livy Brown, St. Louis