Hull Communal Chevra Kadisha

Reference No:
C DJC/1/5
Dates:
1939-1982
Description:
This seriescontains records relating to the Hull Communal Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Board). The Board was founded 31 Oct 1937, and an inaugural meeting was held Thursday 12 Feb 1939 with Rabbi E.S. Rabinowitz as Chairman. At this meeting the Councils of the Hull Central Synagogue, Hull Western Synagogue, and Hull Old Hebrew Congregations agreed to the formation of a communal chevra kadisha with the purpose of overseeing the management of the wider community's cemeteries, funerals, and memorials. Respect for the dead is an issue of great significance to the Jewish community and when a member dies the persons body must be properly prepared for burial during a ritual 'tahara' (purification) before being dressed in 'tachrichim' (white cotton garments). After dressing and placing in a casket watchers are assigned to guard the body until the funeral. Immediate family of the deceased undertake a week long period of mourning during which the appointed members of the community will provide sustenance for them. In addition, annual memorial observances are kept to mark the 'Yahrtzeits' (anniversaries) of deceased family members. The chevra kadisha receives contributions from community members in order that it might undertake the proper burial and memorialisation of deceased members.
Extent:
3 subseries
Language:
Access Conditions:
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Repository:
Hull City Archives
Collection:
Records of the Hull Jewish Community