At a convocation held by the Knesset Interior Committee,
Chanania Shachor, director of the Kehillas Yerushalayim
Chevra Kadisho, announced the founding of an impartial
public committee. The committee will serve as an address for
the public concerning chevra kadisho operations
throughout the country. The convocation was attended by 200
Israeli rabbonim and chevra kadisho heads.
Mr. Shachor clearly stated that in contrast to rumors,
chevra kadishos do not demand fees for their burial
services, except from those who seek to bury their beloved
ones in nonstandard burial plots. He said that more than
70% of the general population in Israel receives free burial
services paid for them by Bituach Leumi.
He also discussed the fact that the chevra kadishos
are prepared to institute modern burial methods, such as
burial on levels and other methods enabling
maximum use of burial areas.
Chairman of the Interior Committee MK David Azoulai (Shas)
said that we must not accept quietly the fact that the State
does not subsidize the real costs of cemetery
development. "This is an intolerable situation. It is time
for the State to allot land for burial and subsidize
cemeteries. This will decrease the citizen's burden and
enable the chevra kadishos to lower the costs of
plots. They will be happy to do," he said.
Chief Rabbi of Israel Yisroel Meir Lau said: "A Jew in the
State of Israel has an absolute right to be buried according
to halocho. In Russia, a Jewish grave was an anchor to
ward off assimilation, and one of the channels for the
transmission of Jewish heritage from generation to
generation."
Knesset members from various parties objected to the image
attributed to the employees of the chevra kadishos.
They noted that they must acquaint the public with their
difficult, dedicated work performed in the capacity of
gomlei chessed shel emes.
