Inside AJHS: The Sydney Chevra Kadisha

This collection contains information relating to the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and its internal and external affairs whilst navigating the sensitive issue of burial and Jewish funerary rites. The Chevra Kadisha is an organisation which handles the burial of Sydney Jews in accordance with Jewish law. The Chevra Kadisha collection is split into two main elements, the Management Council Minutes ranging from 1925-2007 and the Annual Reports ranging from 1970-2004.

The bulk of this collection focuses on financial records, such as balance sheets, invoices, donations and expenses, all of which are essential to understanding the importance of the Chevra Kadisha as a member of the wider Sydney Jewish community. This importance is illustrated by the numerous requests for donations that the Chevra Kadisha received from both Jewish and non-Jewish organisations throughout Sydney, many of which were approved by the council. Moreover, there are numerous mentions of the Chevra Kadisha forgiving debts of those who could not afford to pay the required burial fees. Furthermore, the management committee also approved long term funding requests, such as for schools. The level of donations offered by the Chevra Kadisha reinforces their integral role in the Sydney Jewish community, as they supported Sydney’s Jewish community across a broad spectrum of pursuits, not just those involved in funerals. Therefore, the financial records embedded within both the Management Council Minutes and the Annual Report are essential in understanding the contribution of the Chevra Kadisha to Sydney Jews.

Furthermore, the Chevra Kadisha’s main role is focused on ensuring a proper burial for local Jews. As part of this goal, the Chevra Kadisha ensures the suitability of burial plots and organises the funerary process through its parlours. The management council minutes offer a glimpse into the intricacies surrounding the organisation and maintenance of Jewish burial and funerary customs within a predominantly Christian society. This sentiment is evident through the correspondence between the Chevra Kadisha and external partners, such as the Northern Beaches General Cemetery, which highlights the need of the Chevra Kadisha to create sections for Jewish burial within cemeteries to ensure that proper burial customs are followed.

Additionally, the Chevra Kadisha also engaged heavily with other Jewish groups throughout Sydney, such as the Great Synagogue, with the Chevra Kadisha often discussing issues of funerary customs with leading Rabbis to ensure accuracy, such as around the issue of child burial. The Chevra Kadisha also liaised heavily with Beth Din and the Jewish Cemetery Trust to ensure that Sydney Jews were able to be buried in accordance with Jewish law.

Additionally, the Annual Reports of the Chevra Kadisha are integral to understanding the broad support that the Chevra Kadisha receives from the broader Jewish community. This sentiment is highlighted by the number of life memberships, governorships and life governorships purchased by members during the 1970s-2000s, which allowed members to financially contribute to the Chevra Kadisha, with their names being listed in each report. Furthermore, the Annual Reports also published the names of those who bequeathed money to Chevra Kadisha upon their deaths, however, this practice ceased in the 1970s. Moreover, the Annual Reports and minutes highlight the investments made by Chevra Kadisha to ensure financial sustainability.

Additionally, the Annual Reports highlight the importance of participating in funerary customs, as the number of funerals attended by both council members and Chevra Kadisha members is recorded to demonstrate how each member contributed to Jewish funerary customs. By publicising the contributions of its members to the organisation, Chevra Kadisha aims to promote continued support from its members and ensure the continuation of Jewish funerary customs in Sydney. As such, the Annual Reports of Chevra Kadisha demonstrate the broad support enjoyed by the organisation from its members and the way they ensure that funerary customs are followed through participation.

Therefore, the Chevra Kadisha collection, featuring both Management Council Minutes and Annual Reports, provides a detailed overview of the financial and ethical obligations of Sydney Jews to enact funerary rites. The minutes provide insight into the internal policies of Chevra Kadisha and external discussions between the organisation and its Jewish and non-Jewish partners. Moreover, Annual Reports provide insight into the financial situation of the Chevra Kadisha and the ethical obligations of its members to support Jewish funerary rites.

Ultimately, the Chevra Kadisha documents are a valuable and useful collection that provides detailed insights into the operation and contribution of an integral group to Jewish practices within Sydney.