Edmonton Chevra Kadisha commits to L’dor V’dor: From Generation to Generation

by Sharon Marcus and Jeremy Appel

(AJNews) – From Talmudic times to the present, Jewish communities worldwide have taken on the obligation and rituals of burying the dead.

In 1907, Edmonton’s Chevra Kadisha (ECK), which translates to “Holy Society,” was established by members of Beth Israel Synagogue to provide the rituals and obligations of burying the deceased of our community. ECK is a “sacred society”, not a “secret society”, and is particularly proud to be one of only a few Jewish burial societies in North America where volunteers still provide these sacred duties.

Edmonton Chevra Kadisha provides a vital communal service whereby dedicated volunteers, both men and women, carry out Tahara, the ritual care and preparation of the deceased. Society members also organize the memorial service and oversee the burial process. ECK strives to provide a dignified and respectful final tribute, ensuring every soul is treated with the utmost reverence and respect.

In 1907, Abraham Cristall, the first Jewish Edmontonian, purchased land on the southside of the North Saskatchewan River to serve as the city’s Jewish cemetery. In the early 1930’s a permanent chapel was built on site. In 1963 the Chesed Shel Emes, with its larger Chapel, Tahara room, Kohane room and offices, was built at 12313-105 Ave.

By the end of the 20th century, when the southside cemetery was projected to exceed its space of available plots, ECK members Shim Laskin and Shelby Smordin purchased 30 acres of land in the city’s northwest. The new cemetery, which has a capacity of 800 plots, was consecrated in May 2023. Internments in the new cemetery began in early 2025.

As is the history with most organizations over 100 years old, the ECK leadership has evolved over the decades to welcome members of the entire Edmonton Jewish community, regardless of affiliation and Rabbinic conversion. In light of the present high rate of interfaith families in Edmonton and Canada, the Chevra Kadisha passed a motion at last year’s AGM to establish a committee to conduct research into interfaith sections in Jewish cemeteries in Canada and determine whether that could work in Edmonton.

The committee did extensive research including holding four information sessions last fall, three in person and one online, before making its final recommendation to the Board and, ultimately, to ECK members at a special February meeting. A “motion in support of building an interfaith section passed overwhelmingly,” according to incoming president Jeff Rubin. “We’ve got to move with the times,” he added. “We needed to respond to the needs of our community,” said incoming vice president Barry Goldberg. “We heard from many people that Jewish community members wanted to be buried next to their [non-Jewish] spouses.”

As articulated by members of the Board, the Interfaith section of the new cemetery is a sign of the times, regardless of one’s own individual beliefs.

The Interfaith section will be separated from the Jewish-only portion of the cemetery, allowing families with one non-Jewish spouse/partner to be laid to rest together. “There will be no non-Jewish symbols permitted in the interfaith section”, said Jeff. The committee continues their work to establish policies and procedures specific to the Interfaith section.

The Interfaith section is estimated to cost $400,000 to develop in full. A special fundraising campaign has begun for this initiative, to conclude before the start of the UJA campaign. Due to bird nesting season, work on the site to clear trees cannot begin until late fall, with an anticipated opening in 2026.

A new chapel will ultimately be needed for the north cemetery so that all funeral services can be held on-site. The Chevra Kadisha is currently putting efforts towards developing a building plan for a new chapel, amenities to include all those which currently exist at the Chesed Shel Emes.

One major misconception about ECK is that it has significant funds available now, such that it is not necessary to come to the community with a special fundraising campaign. With the Board’s commitment to full transparency, it felt prudent to share its financial position with the entire community. Aside from $330,000 in designated funds previously raised in 2022 for the new chapel, ECK holds two other restricted funds: 1) $1.6M for perpetual care – monies set aside to ensure both cemetery sites are maintained and repaired, as needed 2) $1.5M in pre-paid reserved plots.

ECK is committed to their vision to be a compassionate and trusted resource for Jewish families.  It endeavours to provide a dignified and respectful burial service that preserves and upholds the rich traditions of Jewish values and traditions not just to people of all denominations of Judaism but to all unaffiliated as well. ECK envisions that Edmonton will continue to be a place where the sacred rites of a Jewish burial are accessible, meaningful, and a source of healing and comfort.

For any questions, please reach out to Jeff Rubin at president@edmontonchevrakadisha.ca.