Together for One Soul: A Burial That Crossed Continents

Carlos Ginsberg worked with devotion and care at the “Carmel” nursing home, helping elderly patients with warmth and love. He was an honest man with a kind heart—a Jew who deeply touched those around him. After some years, he returned to a small town in Brazil, where he later passed away from illness.

In Brazil, Carlos lived in very modest conditions, far from any local Jewish community. When he passed away, his brother—unaware of the importance of kevurat Yisrael (a proper Jewish burial)—buried him in a public Christian cemetery.

But according to Brazilian law, bodies that are not buried through a private (paid) burial process are only allowed to remain in public graves for seven years. After that, they are exhumed and placed into a concrete storage structure in the center of the Christian cemetery. Once this process is done, the local authorities are notified, and the burial is officially considered complete.

Back in Israel, Carlos’s family was heartbroken when they received the notice that their father’s remains were about to be removed. They desperately wanted to give him a Jewish burial in São Paulo, but soon learned that transferring the bones and arranging the burial would cost 50,000 shekels—far beyond what they could afford. Their pain was deep.

And then, the story began to change. Slowly, beautifully.

Carlos’s son, Daniel, spoke to a Breslov friend about the situation. The friend immediately wanted to help—and miraculously connected him with a man named Yitzchak, who started a WhatsApp group. Through this group, people from both Israel and Brazil came together with one purpose: to help bring Carlos to a proper Jewish resting place.

More support followed. Daniel reached out to several organizations in Israel. Hidabroot responded generously, as did the Benoam organization. Rabbi Yisrael Rani lent his help, as did Minister of Religious Affairs David Azulai, and a kind-hearted businessman named Moti. Everyone came forward with a desire to help fulfill this sacred mitzvah.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society) and its director, Rabbi Pasternak, gathered local volunteers to carry out the burial with care and dignity. Daniel flew to São Paulo to accompany his father on this final journey.

The body was buried in the Jewish cemetery in a place called “Embu das Artes.” According to Daniel, when he arrived in Brazil, he received generous support and guidance from the local “Mekor Chaim” synagogue. Rabbi Pasternak, known for his chesed (acts of kindness), lovingly oversaw the final steps, preparing the body and guiding the reburial.

At the funeral, Rabbi Pasternak brought tears to everyone’s eyes. As a personal sign of respect and love, he placed his own tzitzit (ritual fringes) into the grave and gave Carlos a new name—David. The ceremony was emotional, heartfelt, and filled with kavod (honor), thanks to the Rabbi and the many who walked alongside this soul one last time.

So many people played a part in this special mitzvah. The Jewish community in São Paulo gave generously. Mothers of schoolchildren donated money to help transport the body when they heard of the opportunity to take part in this holy task.

Truly, we are a remarkable people. A nation of compassion and unity, always showing up for one another—in Israel, in the diaspora, and wherever a Jew may be in need.

May the pure soul of David (Carlos Ginsberg) son of Louisa be elevated.