Welcome to JCAM’s Online Community where members come together for advice, to learn, and to share their stories.

We hope you will find the articles and posts informative and thought-provoking.  Below is an introduction to the categories in our online community.

We encourage you to browse these Categories, share your thoughts and connect with others. Post and read threads on topics that interest and relate to you. Anyone can browse our message boards, but you must be a member to join in.

Please click on the “Login” link on the right side panel of this page. You will be asked to create a user name and password. Please complete the form with your email address. An email confirmation will be sent to.

…..Now let’s start talking!

Introduction to Jewish Cemeteries in Massachusetts

Are your ancestors resting at a Massachusetts Jewish cemetery? What does that cemetery mean to you? What are some of your memories about those resting there? This category is intended to introduce you an important contribution related to our Jewish presence in Massachusetts—Jewish cemeteries. Many people are not aware of the significant role that Jewish cemeteries played and still plays in the formation of our vibrant Jewish communities in Massachusetts today. For instance, did you know that the first Jewish cemetery in Massachusetts was established in 1844 in East Boston (Ohabei Shalom Cemetery, see above picture). Did you also know that prior to 1844 Jews were not allowed to be buried in Massachusetts?

We feel that it is vitally important to tell the story of the establishment of Jewish cemeteries in Massachusetts and to maintain and preserve these “museums of memories” so that the next generation will carry on with this important communal responsibility. We invite you to ask questions and discuss your viewpoints. If you have historical information about specific Jewish cemeteries in Massachusetts, please let us know. If you would like to be a contributing editor, please contact us.

Cemeteries Are For the Living Educational Tours

This category is dedicated to our highly successful educational program geared to synagogue youth, parents, educators, and adult education programs. Many of you have participated in our Cemeteries Are For The Living tours and the feedback we have been receiving has been tremendous. Our tours are interactive, informative, and even fun! There is so much to learn just from visiting a Jewish cemetery.

What started in 2006 with only synagogue youth classes, has expanded to adult education programs, interfaith groups, conversion classes, and schools and colleges outside the Jewish community.

After participating in a Cemeteries Are For the Living tour, participants come away with a greater understanding of the historical significance of Jewish cemeteries, but also a deeper appreciation for the organizations and communities who founded them. Participants learn historical information, the meaning and origins of various headstone symbols and customs related to Jewish burial and mourning.

We welcome your comments in this category, and if you have already participated in a Cemeteries Are for the Living tour, please let us hear from you. What did you learn? What was the most interesting fact you discovered about Jewish cemeteries? Post a comment, a suggestion—let others know why they should schedule a tour for their group.

Book Burials & Communal Responsibilities

This category will discuss the communal responsibilities related to book burials and the proper care of sacred materials.

The care, maintenance and preservation of our over 100 “gardens of eternity,”  are vital on-going responsibilities that JCAM takes seriously, but also is the responsibility to properly handle the burial of worn Torah scrolls, books, and other sacred Jewish artifacts for the community.

Each year JCAM invites the community to attend and participate in our Annual Book Burial, usually held in the fall.  When our community genizah (the depository that collects and stores these artifacts) is full, JCAM arranges for the burial.

There are specific regulations regarding the burial of these materials called shammot (pronounced “shay-moat”) and we treat these sacred artifacts in the same way we treat the human body: with dignity and care. For instance, we only bury materials that contain the Hebrew name of G-d.  We ask that materials brought for burial be in biodegradable containers.

We invite you to ask questions or post comments here regarding this category or tell us what you know about the proper handling of sacred materials.

Jewish Funeral, Cemetery & Mourning Customs

Judaism is steeped in traditions, rituals and customs. And this is acutely present in the way we grieve for our loved ones and participate at Jewish funerals. Where did the ancient practice of tearing one’s garment (Kriah in Hebrew) originate as an expression of grief? How do we practice that custom today? Why do we leave visitation stones after visiting a cemetery? Why do mourners cover their mirrors during Shiva (the traditional first phase of mourning)? What is the symbolism of using the backside of the shovel to place dirt in a Jewish grave at a funeral?  All these and more will be answered and discussed in this blog category.  We welcome you to participate in this learning.

Jewish End of Life and Afterlife

Does the soul survive after life ceases? Does Judaism teach about reincarnation, resurrection, and Afterlife? What do the rabbis and Judaism teach about these issues?  Read the articles and let us know what your thoughts are on this often misunderstood and unexplored topic.

Tatoos and Cremation

Can a person with a tatoo be buried on a Jewish cemetery? What is the regulation about cremations and Jewish cemetreries?  These subjects, often viewed as “taboo” in Judaism, will be explored in this category. What do rabbis have to say about this? What does the Torah state? And how does an evolving 21st century Judaism, Jewish funeral practices and cemetery regulations deal with these subjects?….Read more and feel free to comment.

Interfaith Families

Traditionally it has been that only Jews could be buried on a Jewish cemetery. And today, that still holds true for the most part. But there are exceptions and  JCAM has made accommodations for Massachusetts’ growing Interfaith Jewish community.  JCAM’s Beit Olam Cemetery in Wayland, Massachusetts is one of the few Jewish cemeteries in the State that has an Interfaith section specifically to accommodate interfaith Jewish families.  With the changing face of the Jewish community and the current intermarriage rate being 50 percent, Jewish cemeteries around the nation need to begin to adapt to these changes.

But these changes open up a variety of issues related to burial and mourning customs for the interfaith family. How does a Jewish spouse grieve for his/her non-Jewish spouse?  Is Shiva observed? Does one say Kaddish for the non-Jewish spouse? How are funerals handled for the non-Jewish family member? Are only Jewish clergy permitted to officiate? Are there regulations regarding headstones?

In this category we will look at the various ways the Jewish cemetery community accommodates interfaith families and the complexities of these issues. Please feel free to ask questions or offer comments.