Mystery of the Kaddish

Three times a day for eleven months, the bereaved say the Kaddish, glorifying God and celebrating life, never once alluding to death. Leon Charney and Naftali Brawer discuss what this essential prayer tells us about life and death in Judaism.

Naftali Brawer was born in Boston and grew up in Montreal.   He has a PhD in Jewish studies and history and is currently the senior Rabbi at the Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue in North London. He writes a regular column in the Jewish Chronicle and is responsible for a number of interfaith activities on behalf of the Chief Rabbinate of Great Britain. He is the author of a guide to Judaism.

Leon Charney is a lawyer, author, broadcaster and former advisor to statesmen such as President Jimmy Carter, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Ezer Weizman. Born to an immigrant family, Charney worked his way through Yeshiva University and Brooklyn Law School.  He is the author of four books, Special Council, Spy for Peace, The Charney Report: Confronting the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and The Mystery of the Kaddish.