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Congregation Shaarey Zedek Announces Plans for Dual Faith Cemetery June 29, 2011 “A number of our members have non-Jewish spouses and a desire that they be able to be buried with their spouse,” according to Executive Director Ian Staniloff. “Our objective has been to develop a plan which respects Jewish standards and tradition, yet allows the burial of Jews and non-Jews together.” Long-standing Jewish tradition provides for the designation of a Jewish cemetery as sanctified land (admat kodesh) for the burial only of the Jewish deceased, explains Senior Rabbi Alan Green. “Designation of the cemetery as admat kodesh is one of the most critical requirements for honouring the deceased Jew,” says Rabbi Green. “The challenge has been to balance the traditional requirements of Jewish burial with the demographic reality of interfaith families and the need to provide comfort for the mourners.” Rabbi Green led the extensive research, conducted by the clergy of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, into best practices in other communities across North America. As a result, a detailed set of policies and procedures have been developed in consultation with other authorities in the Winnipeg Jewish community. “We are serving a growing need in our community. The Winnipeg Jewish community numbers about 16 thousand and up to 70% are marrying outside the faith,” Staniloff explains. This service will be made available to synagogue members and non-members alike. “In the past, the Jewish spouse was forced to make a decision – either be buried by themselves in a Jewish manner in a Jewish cemetery or be buried with their partner elsewhere.” Central to the procedures outlined by Rabbi Green to establish the Dual Faith Section is designation of a portion of Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park which has had no Jewish burials to date. Re-purposing this area as the Dual Faith Section of the Memorial Park preserves the pledge to previous decedents and their families that their burial place will remain consecrated in perpetuity. To maintain Jewish tradition in regard to the rest of the Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park, the Dual Faith Section will be surrounded by a roadway and by a wrought-iron fence. It will also have its own separate cemetery entrance. The detailed burial policies for interment in the Shaarey Zedek Dual Faith Section outline expectations that the non-Jewish deceased will be prepared for burial by a funeral home designated and instructed by Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Jews who are buried in the Dual Faith Section of the Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park will continue to have Jewish funeral services, complete with the El Maleh Rachamim prayer and the Mourner’s Kaddish. Winnipeg’s largest conservative Jewish congregation with about 1,000 family units and 3,500 members, Congregation Shaarey Zedek is acknowledged as a progressive leader in the Jewish community. In addition to being one of the first to establish a Dual Faith Cemetery Section, Shaarey Zedek was one of the first Conservative Synagogues to welcome Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Jews with full rights and privileges including family membership, burial rights and performance of weddings. Shaarey Zedek was also the first Winnipeg Conservative Synagogue to adopt Egalitarian practices. Shaarey Zedek has also been an innovator in providing an on-line broadcast of regular services in the synagogue. Members who are travelling and drop-in visitors world-wide are welcome to join the only such on-line broadcast in Canada at www.shaareyzedek.mb.ca. Preparation of the Dual Faith Section of Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park will begin immediately. It is expected that this part of the Cemetery will be available by Fall 2011. For more information please call 452-3711. Dual Faith Cemetery In the Media > Canadian Jewish News Article |
