Daughters celebrates its annual ‘Dedication of Hands’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The annual “Dedication of Hands” ceremony at Daughters of Israel, led by Rabbi Zvi Karpel, the facility’s chaplain, helps staff members recharge for the new year. The ceremony, which took place in the Daughters synagogue during the last week in December, is a two-part ritual consisting of rinsing the hands with water and then anointing them with oil.

“The first part, the water rinsing, is symbolic of washing away the burdens, stresses, sorrows and disappointments of 2018,” Karpel said. “The oil anointing in the second part of the ceremony, is a blessing for our staff to continue their work with our residents with compassion and love in the upcoming year of 2019.”

  Daughters of Israel