Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
New cemetery is still consecrated
Ceremony modified to accommodate social distancing guidelines
Even the coronavirus could not stop the new King David Cemetery from being consecrated in accordance with Jewish law.
On Tuesday, a handful of people participated in the ceremony for the first Jewish cemetery to open in Broward County in 50 years. It’s scheduled to open on March 27 at Fairway Memorial Gardens in Deerfield Beach.
“It was imperative for us to continue with this consecration ceremony so that we can begin to serve the Jewish community as quickly as possible,” said Rabbi Lawrence Schuval, Fairway Memorial Gardens’ funeral director and cemetery manager, who led the ceremony. “We have been planning this ceremony for months, but we kept it simple with just a few people in light of the coronavirus outbreak.”
Schuval said the ceremony was modified out of respect for socialdistancing guidelines. “As a result, I performed the ritual with the Jewish staff at King David, as opposed to a large group.”
Schuval said it is “extremely vital” for the cemetery to be open and operating.
“People need to bury their loved ones without delay. As with other cemeteries, our services are strictly limited to graveside services with a maximum of 10 people in attendance, including the officiant.”
The cemetery is also live streaming its services.
“This was already growing in popularity prior to the pandemic, especially for those who want to share services with relatives living overseas, and Fairway Memorial Gardens has offered live streaming of services, including graveside services, for nearly two years,” said Keith Epstein, Fairway Memorial Gardens’ general manager.
Epstein continued, “With social distancing guidelines, it is now a necessity, rather than a luxury, and we are proud to offer these capabilities through various easy-to-use channels.”
Michael Balaban, the Jewish Federation of Broward County’s president and chief executive officer, said, “King David offers the local Jewish community a wonderful alternative in the region with new land and importantly new affordable options for families and synagogues. We are grateful to have them here in Broward County.”
Epstein feels the new cemetery fills both a Jewish community and personal need as it honors the legacy of his father Rory Epstein, who managed Jewish funeral homes in South Florida for 30 years before his death in 2018.
When Rory Epstein became ill
in 2012, Keith Epstein joined his father’s funeral business, and this fatherson team began the groundwork for King David in early 2018 before the elder Epstein’s death. Epstein plans to honor his late father as the first to be buried in the cemetery’s newly consecrated grounds.
Epstein feels honoring his father this way is bittersweet for him.
“My father and I, along with my colleagues, have had the honor of serving thousands of South Florida families over the years before his untimely passing. I never anticipated that I would bury my father here before he could see his vision completed.”
Epstein continued, “We will carry on his legacy and serve the South Florida community with dignity and respect.”
Call 954-633-7175 or visit kingdavidcemetery.com for more information on the cemetery, located at 1391 NW 45th St. in Deerfield Beach.