We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the dedicated work you do for the Chevra Kadisha and the people of our community. It is appropriate for us to ask mechilah (forgiveness) if in any way we inconvenienced or bothered or contributed to making the mitzvah more difficult or trying. It is appropriate for the metaharim to forgive each other.  In the course of doing our mitzvah it is so important to be able to get past differences, appreciate the good intentions of the others and work together as a team. As we forgive others, may Hashem forgive us all. May we all be blessed with a year of good health and joy and the ability to continue and progress in being the Almighty’s emissaries in this world, reaping the joy and nachas and satisfaction of doing our best. And as the prophet Yeshaya said (25:8): “May He swallow up death forever, and may Hashem, G-d, wipe away tears from upon every face and remove the scorn of His people from the entire world…”