CAJAC is a 501 (c)(3) organization incorporated in New York in 2007 and dedicated to the ideal of hesed shel emet “faithful benevolence”- the Jewish designation for kindness toward the deceased who are unable to make claims or offer thanks. CAJAC is supported by UJA-Federation of New York’s Caring Commission, the New York City Council, and private donors.  Proudly, 90% of CAJAC’s donations are applied towards the preservation of Jewish cemeteries.

OUR MISSION

In accordance with Jewish tradition, the Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemeteries (CAJAC) acts to assist the living in honoring their departed ancestors, who can no longer speak for themselves.

CAJAC provides the critical link in setting standards, developing strategies, and assisting those tasked as fiduciaries for Jewish cemeteries.  These standards help to fulfill the sacred task of preserving sanctity, ensuring physical well-being, and providing for financial stability into perpetuity.

CAJAC’s Core Objectives

• Partner with the broader Jewish community to support and sustain a centralized model of cemetery management, through creating economies of scale and systems for sound fiscal management.
• Provide day-to-day management and oversight of Jewish cemeteries, in accordance with best practices.
• Raise awareness within the broader Jewish community about the vitality of Jewish cemeteries and their systemic challenges.
• Emphasize education and volunteerism as the primary vehicles to make kavod ha-met, respect for the deceased, a core concern to all Jewish people.
• Provide guidance, resources, and training to Jewish organizations who manage and/or operate Jewish cemeteries.  This includes synagogues, burial societies, and cemetery administrators.
• Rehabilitate abandoned and distressed Jewish cemeteries.
• Maintain liaison relationships with relevant governmental and regulatory authorities.  These relationships will serve as the Jewish community’s principal resource, and the secular community’s key partner, in securing the future of Jewish cemeteries.

CAJAC can advise Jewish cemeteries with:

• Financial analysis and risk assessment
• Physical well-being and infrastructure
• Indexing of graves and recording genealogy
• Adhering to matters pertaining to Jewish law (Halacha)