25.09.2018 /

On the Establishment of the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery” in 1910

As we all know, our beloved Kharkiv is an international and tolerant city. Both today and 100 years ago, it was home to foreign consulates and various national civic organizations. That is why the French, Latvian, German, Belgian, English, American, and other “Kharkivs” are an integral part of our history.

Naturally, members of national and religious communities needed places to lay their deceased compatriots to rest—the city had Catholic, Lutheran, Muslim, and Jewish cemeteries. But today’s article will focus not so much on them as on the history of the emergence of one of these national organizations.

So, on April 14, 1910, a petition was submitted to the “Kharkiv Provincial Board for Societies and Unions.” In the document, five founders requested permission to establish an organization in our city called the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery.” Nikolai Emmanuilovich Segal, an honorary citizen residing at 26 Sumskaya Street, was authorized by the petitioners to represent them at the meeting to discuss the draft charter and provide explanations.

Upon receiving the petition, on the very same day (April 14), officials sent a request marked “urgent” to law enforcement agencies, asking for information regarding the political reliability of the individuals named in the petition. And as early as April 29, a response arrived, indicating that the founders of the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery,” namely:

— Pesach Yakovlevich Buras
— Morduch Davidovich Levinson
— Israel Pesachovich Buras
— Mikhail Yakovlevich Tarlovsky
— Yakov Pesachovich Buras
— Mikhail Leibovich Khatskel

During their entire time living in the city of Kharkiv, they were not observed to have engaged in any morally reprehensible conduct, were not on trial or under investigation, and were not involved in any political matters. In early May, these individuals were sent invitations to appear at Gubernatorskaya Street, 16 by 2:00 p.m. on May 17 to provide oral explanations regarding the case concerning the establishment of the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery.”

Ultimately, on May 17, the Provincial Council decided to approve the draft charter of the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery,” incorporating a number of amendments with the consent of the founder’s representative. For a number of reasons, the election of the board members did not take place until October 2. As a result, virtually all seven board members had previously been co-founders of the society, including representatives of the Buras family. In principle, there is nothing surprising about this. The head of the family, Pyotr Yakovlevich Buras (also known as Pesach Yakimovich), owned a tobacco factory in our city, whose products were in high demand and enjoyed great success in the early 20th century, not only in the Russian Empire but also abroad. After all, the motto of the “Buras & Co.” trading house was: “The very best tobacco at the most modest price.” Possessing considerable wealth, Peter Yakovlevich also earned a reputation as a generous patron of the arts. Naturally, he did not forget his ethnic community, taking an active part in its life, as well as in the creation and development of all kinds of Jewish organizations.

The importance of this organization can be gauged by the objectives clearly set forth in its bylaws.

§1. The purpose of the Society is to promote the economic and spiritual betterment of the Kharkiv Jewish cemetery.
§2. The means for achieving this purpose are:
1) Restoring the cemetery grounds to a state of splendor befitting the dignity of a final resting place;
2) Continuously beautifying the cemetery and ensuring it is maintained in a sanitary and hygienic condition;
3) Ensuring the proper condition of graves, monuments, religious objects, and all other items, structures, and buildings located on the cemetery grounds;
4) Providing everything necessary for the burial of deceased impoverished Jews according to Jewish rites;
5) Assisting the families of deceased impoverished Jews in alleviating the expenses associated with burial.
6) Striving to reduce burial expenses in every possible way for all Jews without distinction, while at the same time ensuring strict compliance with all requirements and rituals prescribed by Jewish doctrine.

So, as we can see, the founders of this organization set truly lofty and noble goals.

Here is the story of the founding of the “Society for the Improvement of the Jewish Cemetery,” an organization that is not only important to the Jewish community of Kharkiv but also an integral part of our city’s history.

Anton Bondarev
Latest posts by Anton Bondarev (see all)

CategoriesDiasporas and diplomats