[Steven Knopoff]

Within the dual council-owned Centennial Park in Adelaide, there is a consecrated Jewish cemetery which includes a large Orthodox-controlled burial area and smaller Progressive-controlled burial area. Up to now, the remains of non-Jewish spouses/partners of Jews have not been able to be buried anywhere within the Jewish cemetery. Given that 53% of the Progressive congregation Beit Shalom’s couples include a non-Jewish partner, this means a majority of our couples are excluded from burial together within a Jewish cemetery. We are currently looking at ways in which this situation might change in the future for Jewish mixed couples. Various proposals would require changes in policy within the Progressive community and/or release of additional land by Centennial Park for use by Jewish mixed couples.

For purposes of this Forum topic, I am interested in learning about the ways in which Jewish mixed couples are accommodated or not accommodated within other Progressive Jewish burial areas. I am appreciative for the phone call I had on this topic with Brian Samuel, who discussed the practices of Progressive and mixed-couple burials at the Springvale (municipal) cemetery adjacent to the Browns Road (Orthodox Jewish) cemetery in Melbourne. I would be interested in learning about practices of Jewish mixed couple burial related to Progressive congregations across Australia. I imagine there could be differences related to the traditions of individual congregations (Orthodox as well as Progressive) as well as to the expectations of public or private cemeteries within which Jewish burial areas have been established. Although I am primarily interested in the practices within Australia, I would also be glad for information related to our New Zealand and Asian communities.

Thank you!

• This topic was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by Jocelyn Robuck.
• This topic was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by Jocelyn Robuck.

[Andrew Gelbart]

Great question & important – thank you. It feels to me like something the rabbis should be considering.
Collecting the current practices of the different communities seems like the first step.

Does anyone know what proactices are in overseas communities outside the region?

Regards,
Andrew Gelbart
Kedem

[Louise Ward]

I think this topic also links to any burial practices that are different from the Jewish “norm” ie cremation.
On the Gold Coast we share a CK with the local orthodox community with the individual’s Rabbi and community determining Jewish identity. Unless you are both Jewish it is impossible to be buried with your partner. Unless you are buried in the Jewish cemetery, there is no ritual Tahara etc.

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