The school's decision to have the Final Journey classes for seniors reflects YHS's dedication to personal growth and communal recognition. Throughout the course, we heard from various speakers from various levels of observance-- Rochel Berman of Boca, Kenneth Lassman of Gutterman-Warheit Funeral Homes, or the panel discussion of Chevra Kadisha workers in our final class--all dedicated to the single communal responsibility of the chevra: respecting the dead and the life the person has lived. 

It was inspiring to hear from so many different people with such different experiences in similar fields, all doing their part to contribute to the community in the most genuine ways--without receiving anything in return, as it is chesed shel emet. Interestingly, one of the panel speakers noted that the members of the chevra were not only members within that chesed "club," but they are also involved with many other communal activities and chesed committees, letting us know that these members are the foundation for our community.

We call the classes the "Final Journey," referring to the "final journey" of the body the chevra is dealing with, yet for us, this was anything but the Final Journey; it is a glimpse of the world after high school, replete with communal leadership, Jewish responsibility, and tradition.