Responsibilities of the Temple Beth Sholom "Chevrah Kadisha" Memorial Park Committee

The Committee's primary responsibility is to help our congregants meet the final life cycle event with consideration of upholding Jewish principles and rituals. All committee members are dedicated to providing this vital service for our congregation membership in a compassionate and caring way, helping family members transition into the mourning period.

The Temple Beth Sholom Memorial Park committee was initially established to manage and administrate the Beth Sholom Memorial Park, at the request of the town of Manchester, who owns and controls the cemetery lands set aside to inter the town residents. The town, in appreciating the needs of its Jewish residents, established a separate section of the East Cemetery specifically designed for those residents. The synagogue leaders agreed to administer to the organization of the burial site distribution, if with the town agreed to allow the burial of any Temple Beth Sholom members who had not resided in Manchester during their lives. The agreement specifies that any Jewish resident of Manchester can arrange burial in the Memorial Park, and that Temple Beth Sholom member, who resided within a 25-mile radius of Manchester at the time they purchased the burial site deed, can also be interred there.

The committee acts to collect the fees used to reimburse the Town for the perpetual care of the gravesites after interment, as well as ordering and placing the grave maker plaques. Temple Beth Sholom's Board of Directors approves the fees, after set by the committee. The committee members act as the go between for the family and the Town of Manchester's Cemetery Department once final arrangements are needed.

Our Rabbi, Richard Plavin, to insure that members of our congregation can be appropriately prepared for interment, following our traditions and rituals, established the "Chevrah Kadusha" over fifteen years ago. A separate group for both men and women has been established. There is ongoing training of the rituals and tasks involved, and our committee constantly encourages new volunteers. Universally, our members feel their involvement with the committee in performing these difficult but necessary final tasks, emotionally and spiritually gratifying, in that we can provide one last bit of assistance to our departed friends and neighbors.

For information about burial sites, please contact us