Interfaith exploration committee of Edmonton Chevra Kadisha clarifies some misconceptions

(AJNews) – Following information sessions on November 14 and 18 by the Interfaith exploration committee of the Edmonton Chevra Kadisha, a follow up letter was distributed to clarify any misunderstandings that may have occurred during the sessions.

In the letter, the committee thanks the participants for attending the sessions and sharing their concerns, hopes and views. “We appreciate the openness and vulnerability with which people spoke, and the civility and respect accorded to each other. It is often not easy to stand up in front of strangers and speak your mind and we thank you for your bravery. Comments and concerns expressed during all the sessions will be collated (identities stripped) and become part of the final report to the Chevra Kadisha membership.

“We feel it is important to clarify several points in the off-chance attendees left the session with misunderstandings or confusion. Clarification comments reflect research done by the Committee.”

The committee clarified that they are “only looking at the possibility of creating a separate section for interfaith burial with the appropriate separation in place. An interfaith section refers to a couple who are buried side-by-side where one spouse is Jewish and one not.

“It has been suggested that the current and new cemeteries are Orthodox Jewish cemeteries. It is true that the current Jewish cemetery was founded by the Orthodox shul (the only shul in Edmonton at the time) and held to Orthodox protocol. It has been noted on the Chevra Kadisha website and elsewhere that the current cemetery does not adhere to the accepted tradition that bodies are laid to rest facing east, meaning it could be construed that it did not follow Orthodox protocol from its outset.

“As our community evolved and shuls of other denominations were created to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community, the cemetery protocol evolved to accept community members converted to Judaism through Conservative and Reform practice. The Chevra Kadisha, an independent non-profit, performs their tasks with equal respect and protocol for all. As such, our Chevra Kadisha and cemetery has evolved to meet the needs of the entire Edmonton Jewish Community.

“Each Jewish community must deal with limits imposed on them by their size, population and demographic. For Edmonton that means that we use a non-Jewish funeral home for transportation services to the Chevra Kadisha Chapel and again for transport to the cemetery. Other communities, for example use a room in a non-Jewish funeral home for Taharot as they do not have their own. Several Orthodox synagogues who own their own cemeteries have established interfaith sections, all under the recommendations of their modern Orthodox rabbis. Each community has stated “we do the best we can” for their particular circumstance.”

At the town halls several participants suggested they know someone who would be concerned, upset or never accept such a change. The committee asked that participants please encourage these people to come to an information session and speak for themselves.

“We want to hear first-hand people’s concerns. Likewise, we want them to ask questions, offer comments and hear first-hand the discussions taking place rather than rely on second-hand information.

“Several people have voiced concerns that our new cemetery would lose its “Jewishness” and that non-Jews would be buried everywhere. This does not happen in other communities, nor is it going to be suggested for our new cemetery. Our research has shown that the vast majority of Jewish cemeteries that have an interfaith section, have a specific section designated for interfaith couples or families. That section is clearly demarcated and has a separation that meets the standards of 4 amot (roughly 6-7 feet), a guideline that would be recommended to ECK.”

At one of the town halls, there was the suggestion that there would be non-Jewish symbols and protocols in the new cemetery and in time anyone could be buried there in any fashion. In their letter, the committee clarified, “Our research has included an examination of policies and procedures and interviews with virtually every Jewish community in Canada that has an interfaith section in or connected to a Jewish cemetery. No one allows for non-Jewish symbols, coffins, services or non-Jewish practices in their interfaith sections; 99% do not allow non-Jewish officiants to lead services, and all require the attending funeral home to prepare bodies in a manner similar to that done in Jewish tradition. Ultimately, if the committee were to recommend the establishment of an interfaith section, the Chevra Kadisha would establish its own protocols and policies, informed and guided by what other Jewish communities across the country are doing.”

In the letter, the committee addresses the concerns expressed that the section for interfaith families could cause a rupture in the community. They stated, “Some people have expressed a sincere fear that our community could not withstand the divisiveness that would occur from such a move. As mentioned by various participants, it is possible that many Edmonton Jews are unaffiliated, invisible and currently lost to the community because they have not found a welcoming place or one that speaks to them within the Jewish institutions and organizations in Edmonton. It is possible that our community is already fractured and divided. Is it possible that accepting interfaith families could heal some already existing division within the community?”

Community members are encouraged to register and attend  one of two information sessions that will be taking place this week – on November 24 at 1 pm at the Edmonton Chevra Kadisha Chapel and on November 25 at 7 pm over zoom.