• Jewish tradition requires the family to participate in shiva, a mourning ceremony, for seven days.neue synagogue berlin image by Jeff from Fotolia.com
  
  Practicing Jews may choose to sit shiva for seven days after the loss of a loved one. This practice means staying indoors, refraining from working, and spending the time thinking about the bereaved. During this time it is acceptable to visit and share memories and grief with the family. Bringing a traditional gift can help show your sympathy. Flowers are not encouraged as sympathy gifts in the Jewish religion.
  
  

Meals

• While the family is practicing shiva they are traditionally brought meals by friends and relatives. Putting together a basket of kosher food or a meal for the family is a gift you can participate with. Packaged kosher food can be bought at grocery stores or specialty delis and is generally marked with a kosher certification on the packaging. As well you may choose to make a meal, but familiarize yourself with the rules of Jewish kosher food before doing so.
  
  

Gift of Time

• While the family sits shiva, there may be things that need to be done. Picking up people from the airport, or running errands could be helpful. As well, looking after small children and babies for the family would leave them to grieve and show your support. Helping with housework, chores or yard work could also be a caring gift.
  
  

Planting a Tree

• Rather than bringing a gift, you could always donate to an ecological fund, especially those who will plant a tree in the name of the deceased. For those of the Jewish faith, there are funds that will plant a tree in Israel for a donation. Israel is a holy land for the Jewish people and will have a deep meaning as a sympathy gift.