New London and the Joint Jewish Burial Society

This is an article from the New Londonder Magazine, pre-Rosh Hashnaha 2019 written by our past Chair, Ian Green.

We want to give you an early insight into a significant change to New London Synagogue’s provision for members who pass away. Traditionally, members who have wished to join a burial scheme have joined the Western Burial Society. There is no plan to change the arrangements for any member who is currently a member of the Western. But we are looking to change our future affiliation to a different burial scheme and change the way members enter and pay for the scheme.

For the past three years, New London Synagogue, with New North London, has been in discussions with the Joint Jewish Burial Society (JJBS), which uses the same cemetery at Cheshunt, just a different area of land.

As NLS chairman at the time I, along with Rabbi Jeremy, attended several meetings to discuss both halachic and practical issues with JJBS. By making this switch we will join all other Masorti synagogues, who are already members of JJBS. Why are we changing? Although the Western has supported our members superbly for many decades, JJBS offers several additional benefits. The most important are around ethos. JJBS is a charity whose objectives include support of the kind of Judaism we represent. New London, and its membership, have no trustee/ director-level input over the operations of the Western, its use of reserves and its charging structures. As a member synagogue of JJBS, we will have input at all levels of management. This means we have more responsibility over burial for our members.

There are practical advantages from JJBS. These include:
• Lower annual fees
• Higher age limit before a ‘late-entry fee’ is required.
• ‘Late-entry-fees’ can be paid at time of death, not just at time of entry into the scheme.
• Full recognition of same-sex couples for all burial purposes
• Options for woodland burial
• Options for non-Jewish partner burial
• Option for cremation (NLS clergy do not officiate at cremations and there is no suggestion that this will change)

Again, any member currently a member of the Western will continue to be supported by the Western. Any member who wishes, at this time, to avail themselves of the services of the Western, is advised to join the Western now. The other consequence of JJBS is that it is an institutional rather than an individual membership. All members of New London, unless they are members of the Western Burial Society, will become members of JJBS. There will be a small rise in membership subscription for those not already members of the Western.

We hope and believe that this change will give members peace of mind when it comes to their funeral arrangements. More information about the JJBS is available on its website, www.jjbs.org.uk.