Dear Fifth and Sixth Grade Parents:
As we continue on our journey through the Jewish life cycle, students in the fifth grade will be visiting the CMI cemetery to learn about a Jewish funeral and mourning practices on Sunday, April 23rd. Rabbi Immerman will lead a mock funeral and immediately following the funeral, students and parents will be given a special tour of the historic CMI cemetery, which dates back to 1843.
In addition, students will participate in a very special mitzvah project that has been an ongoing activity in our Jewish community. There are many Jewish cemeteries in the Greater New Haven area that have been neglected and poorly maintained due to the lack of affiliation with a local synagogue. CMI students and parents are asked to help beautify a cemetery across the street from the CMI cemetery by uncovering footstones, removing leaf, and other debris. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to bring brooms, trowels and gardening gloves for this clean-up project.
This experience will help demystify the cemetery and Jewish end-of-life rituals.
Parents are encouraged to attend this program with their child as well as provide transportation to and from the cemetery. All students and parents should arrive at the CMI Cemetery by 9:45. The program will conclude at 11:45. Directions to the CMI cemetery.
Please contact the Religious School office at 203-288-3877 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there.