Hebrew Burial Association

The Hebrew Burial Association—also known as Chesed Shel Emes—is a Jewish burial association with two cemeteries. Shaare Shamayim Congregation organized the original cemetery in 1853, possibly following a dispute over the ownership of the older and independently managed Bes Almon Cemetery.^[1]Allegheny County Deed Books, vol. 112, p. 239 ^[2]“News Items: Pittsburgh,” The Occident and American Jewish Advocate, May 1852 (online—National Library of Israel).

Although no known records document the transfer, the cemetery eventually was overseen by a new group called Chevra Chesed Shel Emes. Chevra Chesed Shel Emes was founded in January 1906 to provide burial plots and to cover funeral expenses for local Jewish families who could not afford to bury their dead.^[3]Chevra Chesed Shel Emes minutes, Jan. 21, 1906 (online). ^[4]“The Society Chesed Shel Emeth,” Jewish Criterion, Jan. 11, 1907, p. 9 (online). The organization was chartered in 1910 as Chesed Shel Emeth^[5]Allegheny County Charter Book Vol. 44, p. 520 and was also known over the years as the Hebrew Free Burial Association, the Hebrew Burial Association, the Free Burial Society, and other variations on those names. Rabbi Aaron Mordechai Ashinsky of Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Congregation led the effort to organize Chesed Shel Emes and remained its spiritual advisor for decades. Following his death in 1954, Rabbi Mordecai Glatstein of the Jewish Association on Aging assumed rabbinic responsibilities for the organization and oversaw annual unveilings at its cemeteries into the 1990s.^[6]“Hebrew Burial group to hold unveiling,” Jewish Chronicle, Aug. 15, 1991, p. 5 (online). A Ladies Auxiliary was organized as early as 1923 and assumed some responsibility for maintaining and beautifying the cemetery grounds.^[7]“Dedication Exercises of Free Burial Society to Take Place Tomorrow Morning,” Jewish Criterion, July 13, 1923, p10 (online). ^[8]Chesed Shel Emes Ladies Auxiliary notice, Jewish Criterion, May 24, 1935, p20 (online).

The original Chesed Shel Emes cemetery at 540 Seavey Rd. approached capacity in the early 20th century, and the organization dedicated an “annex” in July 1914 at 411 Oakwood St.^[9]Allegheny County Deed Books Vol. 1784, p. 58 ^[10]“Dedication of Cemetery Annex of Chevra Chesed Shel Emeth,” Jewish Criterion, June 26, 1914, p. 13 (online). Chesed Shel Emes dedicated a new chapel and fence at its cemetery in 1923. ^[11]“Dedication Exercises of Free Burial Society to Take Place Tomorrow Morning,” Jewish Criterion, July 13, 1923, p. 10 (online).

The Hebrew Burial Association was one of the original 1912 beneficiaries of the Federation of the Jewish Philanthropies of Pittsburgh (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh).^[12]“Free Burial Association,” Jewish Criterion, July 11, 1913, p. 11 (online). It remained affiliated with the Federation until 1992, when it became the first property managed by the Jewish Cemetery and Burial Association, which still maintains it today.^[13]Samson, Iris. “New Association ensures cemeteries’ future,” Jewish Chronicle, April 2, 1922, p. 23 (online). ^[14]Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association website

Bibliography

Exhibit history

• Author: Eric Lidji
• Original version: December 14, 2021
• Current version: December 14, 2021