ABOUT

The Memory Garden is a sacred space to remember losses that are often not acknowledged or talked about. These losses take place around the time of pregnancy: miscarriages, stillbirths, and the death of an infant. They are also losses felt by individuals struggling with infertility—with unfulfilled dreams of having children—and losses experienced by those who have chosen to end a pregnancy.

Many folks are seeking ways to end the isolation that can accompany such losses, and they are seeking solace and support from within the Jewish community. Thanks to the vision of Debbie Findling and Abby Porth, The Memory Garden was designed to fill a void in how Judaism traditionally responds to these losses.

The Memory Garden is a quiet, contemplative space, filled with native California trees, flowers, and plants. A circle of redwood trees surround a private space for meditation or ceremonies, and a circle of water contains stones that can be rearranged by visitors, reflecting the tradition of placing a stone upon leaving a Jewish gravesite.

BACKGROUND

According to Jewish tradition, no formal burial or funeral is held for a miscarriage, induced miscarriage, stillbirth, or for an infant who dies before eight days of age.

The traditional mourner's prayer, Kaddish, is not recited nor is the seven-day mourning period of Shiva observed. Given the high infant-mortality rate of generations past, these customs were developed to nurture and protect families.

Today we hesitate less than those before us to discuss our losses. We are more likely to seek comfort and strength in not only naming our losses, but also in memorializing them.

VISIT

The Memory Garden, located just minutes from San Francisco, at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma, is owned and operated by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.

The Memory Garden is open to the public Sunday through Friday from 9am to 4pm, and closed on Jewish holidays. No reservations are required.

Individuals and groups may make reservations for private gatherings by contacting Eternal Home Cemetery 650-755-5236, Sinai Memorial Chapel 415-921-3636 or via reservation@sinaichapel.org.