Prof. David Shyovitz is Associate Professor in the Department of History at Northwestern University, with a joint appointment at the Crown Center for Jewish and Israel Studies. He received his Ph.D. in medieval Jewish history from the University of Pennsylvania and studied at Yeshivat Har Ezion. He is the author of A Remembrance of His Wonders: Nature and the Supernatural in Medieval Ashkenaz.
Last Updated
May 20, 2026
Books by the Author
Articles by the Author
The Mourner’s Kaddish strengthens the connection of living Jews with their deceased relatives. The custom was developed by twelfth century Ashkenazi Jews as a way of saving their loved ones from Gehenna (hell) and making heaven available to all.
The Mourner’s Kaddish strengthens the connection of living Jews with their deceased relatives. The custom was developed by twelfth century Ashkenazi Jews as a way of saving their loved ones from Gehenna (hell) and making heaven available to all.
