Kicking the Bucket

Almost Purim: Yes, next week is almost Purim! Which means that Abq Jew's former ShopRite in his former Livingston, New Jersey home already has their miles of aisles of Passover goods on display.

Including a connoisseur's assortment of shmura matzah and really, really good dark chocolate covered macaroons.

As you, Abq Jew's loyal readers, read this, there are about 42 days before the First Seder. You can keep track by clicking here.

Purim and Pesach are such wonderful, lively family holidays. Abq Jew loves them.

So let's talk about death. You know - like

Kicking the Bucket

Or, as so delightfully depicted in 1963's It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:

Abq Jew is happy to bring up death because on Sunday April 10, right between Purim and Pesach, the Chevre Kaddisha of Greater Albuquerque will be holding its Annual Meeting. For the first time in almost two years. Don't ask.

If you don't know what the Chevre Kaddisha does - someday (may it not be soon or sudden!) you will. (Actually, the Chevre Kaddisha is looking for new members.) You can read more about it here.

Even better, take a look at this brand-new video from G-dcast.

And as for those former, current, and future Israelis in our midst who have politely yet forcefully pointed out to Abq Jew

• that, in modern Hebrew, the word "chevre" means "social group" or "band of brothers (and sisters)" - 
• and that, therefore, the organization should be called (as it is in most other communities) the Chevra Kaddisha - 

Abq Jew joyfully concedes that you are probably correct.

So why, Abq Jew hears you ask, does Abq Jew continue to spell it Chevre? 

That, Abq Jew and Stephen Colbert (Look at that!
in the same sentence!) can tell you in one word:

Tradition!

Shabbat Shalom, Albuquerque!
Good Shabbos, New Mexico!