New Jewish cemetery consecrated at Macarthur Memorial Park
The new Jewish section is the first stage of what will become a significant burial site for the Jewish community, with over 28,000 graves to be made available
The NSW Jewish community has marked a historic milestone with the consecration of a new Jewish burial section at Macarthur Memorial Park in Varroville, ending years of uncertainty about the future of Jewish burial in Sydney.
The consecration ceremony, held on Sunday afternoon, was attended by NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig, community leaders, religious authorities and members of the public.
The site has been established through years of advocacy and collaboration led by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, working closely with the Sydney Beth Din, the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and the Sydney Beth Din led the ceremonial proceedings, guiding guests around the new section seven times in accordance with Jewish tradition.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) president David Ossip said the consecration was an event of immense significance.
“This burial space will allow us to uphold our sacred burial obligations and serve generations of our community,” Ossip said.
“It will be a site of immense significance and meaning to so many and a place of memory, of mourning and of profound connection between past, present and future.
“We are proud to have resolved the burial crisis facing our community and secured sufficient burial space to last until the end of the century.”
Ossip thanked all those whose hard work led to the outcome, including former JBD president David Knoll, and acknowledged the NSW Government’s commitment to facilitating the project.
The new Jewish section is the first stage of what will become a significant burial site for the Jewish community, with over 28,000 graves to be made available across three development phases on the 113-hectare site.
The cemetery is approximately 45 to 70 minutes from Sydney’s eastern suburbs and represents the largest new cemetery project in NSW in nearly 100 years.
The Jewish sections have been developed in consultation with the Sydney Beth Din and Sydney Chevra Kadisha to ensure full halachic compliance, including proper grave orientation and monument guidelines.
Facilities include a memorial room suitable for Jewish services, shomer facilities and a cool room for overnight stays, with options for interfaith family proximity whilst maintaining sanctity.
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