Chabad Lubavitch of Sarasota & Manatee Counties

Chabad of Sarasota proudly announces the opening this fall of a brand new section of its cemetery, Chabad Gardens. The Chabad Gardens upgrades will include additional burial spaces, new hedges surrounding the perimeter, a water spout for hand-washing, pavers outlining the walking paths, Live Oak trees and granite benches.

In addition to their aesthetic use, the benches will feature an engraved commemoration to provide an opportunity for families to further commemorate their loved ones. The upcoming dedication, which will take place at the start of the New Year, a rare event in Jewish communal life, will feature a unique ceremony open to the public.

It’s interesting and not widely known that a Jewish cemetery is more than just a plot of land. There is a sanctity to that ground. We sanctify the land by making seven hakafot, circling the new cemetery seven times, just as when we dedicate a new Torah scroll. During these hakafot we recite special prayers together.

It’s not every day that a Jewish cemetery is dedicated, and we issue an open invitation to anyone in the community who wishes to join us to take part in or witness this special ceremony.

From SarasotaChabad.com