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1. Is there anything wrong with the common practice of publicizing the names of donors by putting their names in the bulletin or on a plaque? I always thought it was better to give in secret.

It is certainly meritorious to give without the expectation of a plaque or name on a wall or in a bulletin. However, we now know from more than 500 inscriptions discovered in ancient synagogues in Israel and the Diaspora during the past century that it was common practice to write the names of donors on the object or the section of the building they donated. The inscription usually mentioned the names of the donors, the object donated, and even the amount paid.

The earliest responsum allowing synagogue inscriptions for donations was written by the Rashba, one of the most important Jewish legal authorities in the Middle Ages. He was asked about "Reuven," who turned his entire house into a synagogue and wanted to inscribe his name as the donor at the entrance, but some members of the congregation prevented him from doing so. The Rashba allowed the donor to write his name, believing that it aided in commemorating a donor's mitzvah as well as encouraging others to do mitzvot. Even the Code of Jewish Law states that a person who dedicates something to tzedakah is allowed to write his name on it in order that it should be a memorial to him, and it is fitting to do so.

Thus, normative Jewish practice for many centuries has been to record gifts and to inscribe the names of donors because this serves as a memorial to the donor and more importantly encourages others to give tzedakah.

2. What exactly is the Hevra Kaddisha?

The Hevra Kaddisha ("holy society") is the group that is charged with the responsibility of preparing the body for burial in accordance with Jewish customs. Membership in this group is considered a great communal honor and an important mitzvah as well. The first recorded Hevra Kaddisha that provided for the burial of all members of the community was in 16th century Prague. It established specific government-approved regulations concerning fees to be paid, allocations of graves and rules for erecting tombstones.

However, its most important duty remained the preparation of the body for burial, which the rabbis regarded as true kindness, since there could be no expectation of reward. For reasons of modesty, the Hevra Kaddisha is divided according to gender, with men attending male deceased and women attending females. Our own community has a very well-organized Hevra Kaddisha, which is always looking for new members. If you would like more information, please email me and I will put you in touch with the head of our Hevra, who will be happy to speak with you and give you all of the details.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. His forthcoming new book is "Siddur Or Shalom," a Shabbat morning prayerbook. Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.