Thirty acres of land for Edmonton’s second Jewish cemetery – Edmonton Jewish Cemetery North – was purchased in the 1990s by Shim Laskin and Shelby Smordin for the Chevra Kadisha which had the foresight to realize that a new cemetery would be required by the community.  By 2009 it had become clear that space in Edmonton’s original Jewish cemetery was becoming limited, and planning began for a new cemetery.

Thanks to the hard work of a succession of presidents of the Chevra Kadisha: David Marcus, Rhoda Friedman, Jerry Cooper OBM, Percy Lerner, and Harry Silverman; volunteer project manager Marshall Hundert; and Martin Bankey and Joel Miller from the marketing committee, construction of the first stage of the new cemetery was completed in 2023.  The new cemetery has room for 800 graves.  Additional sections will be completed and opened as required.

Edmonton Jewish Cemetery North was consecrated on 4 June 2023.  Members of the community were joined by local, provincial, and national dignitaries at this once-in-a-lifetime event.  Participants were invited to follow Edmonton’s four rabbis and members of the Chevra Kadisha as they circled the perimeter of the cemetery seven times while reciting Tehillim (psalms).  Tzedakah (charity) for community needs was pledged by the Chevra Kadisha following the completion of each circuit of the cemetery and participants were invited to donate to the selected charities: Jewish Family Services, Edmonton Talmud Torah, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah-WIZO, local synagogues, Chabad’s program for kosher meals for incarcerated Jews, and Jewish Federation.

Interments in the new cemetery will begin following the installation of grade beams upon which the monuments will be placed.

While the basic structure of the cemetery is now complete, fundraising is still ongoing for the construction of a new chapel and workshop on the site as well as the purchase of additional equipment and landscaping.  If you are interested in donating, please contact the Edmonton Chevra Kadisha office at 780-482-3065.