Burial Society Chevra Kadisha of Cheb

Collection

Scope and content:: The fonds contains materials concerning the chevra kadisha (Jewish burial society) in Cheb. The statute and some minutes from board and general meetings are amongst the most important surviving documents. Also included are the annual report from 1876, documents concerning members (speeches, rejection of candidates) and financial matters (donations to the association, contributions to the synagogue, funeral funds and cemetery expenses), the roster of attendants for the sick and invitations to celebratory religious services. Correspondence with various Jewish organisations from 1924-31 and documents from the social activity of the association (for example, several requests for assistance in distress from the years 1931-33) are also included. The society had a seal and kept a memorial book, but these have not survived.

Archival history:: The material was found during the organisation of the fonds of the Jewish religious community in Cheb, 58 boxes in total, which had been placed in the archive without a record of receipt. Some of the documents had evidently been rescued in November 1938 by Dr Heribert Sturm, then director of the Cheb archives, shortly before the synagogue was burnt down. A new fonds, officially received in 2004, was created from the documents of the Cheb chevra kadisha, consisting of one box.

Administrative/biographical history:: The chevra kadisha in Cheb was founded by members of the local Jewish community in 1874, shortly after construction of the cemetery was completed. Its first chairman was Heinrich Bloch. Members’ duties included washing the dead, funeral preparations, escort to the grave and participation at requiem services. The society ceased activity some years after its founding and was re-established in 1899 at the initiative of the Cheb rabbi Dr Schwartz and Eduard Löwy, who became its chairman. In 1930 the association issued a new statute appointing a 15-member board elected for three years by general meeting. The last board was elected on 14 June 1938 and the society ceased to exist in autumn 1938 due to the forced expulsion of Jews.

Subject terms:: Aid and relief; Aid and relief--Philanthropy and charity; Burial; Cemeteries; Correspondence; Financial matters; Health and medical matters; Hevrah kadisha; Synagogues

System of arrangement:: The fonds is arranged into 8 sections: Statutory matters, Election of association functionaries, Organisation of activity, Membership records, Financial management, Religious and ritual matters, Contacts with Jewish associations and organisations, Social care.

Finding aids:: Mlsová-Chmelíková J.: Pohřební bratrstvo Chevra kadiša Cheb, (1872) 1874–1936. Inventář, 2005, 11 s., ev. č. 1444.