NAOMI LEVIN

IT may have taken more than two years, but mourners at the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha (MCK) cemetery in Lyndhurst will soon have a solid roof over their heads.

MCK president Myer Herszberg said the temporary structure, which looks like a portable classroom, has space for 400-500 people.

It also has a separate room for Cohens, toilets with running water to replace the portaloos currently at Lyndhurst, and wheelchair access.

Herszberg said it will be completed next week. However, it may be up to two years before the permanent shtiebel planned for Lyndhurst is ready.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president John Searle welcomed the construction of the temporary shtiebel, acknowledging that mourners had been subjected to adverse conditions for many months.

After complaints from community members during the year, Searle and JCCV executive director Geoffrey Zygier met with MCK trustees.

“While recognising that certain issues were beyond MCK’s control, I impressed upon trustees that it was particularly unacceptable for mourners to attend outdoor services in Melbourne’s variable climate at such a trying time,” Searle said.

“I have stayed in constant touch with MCK president Myer Herszberg to ensure that progress took place. I am hence pleased that this building will be available for what will apparently be a long, hot summer.”

Searle said he would remain in regular contact with Herszberg to ensure that progress continues on a permanent structure.

Despite holding its first burial in mid-2007, it is only in the past six months that MCK has secured upgrades to the Lyndhurst cemetery.

Following large funerals for Private Greg Sher, Richard Pratt and Victor Smorgon this year, the local council agreed to pave the previously corrugated road to the cemetery.

Herszberg said MCK has had to open a new section of the cemetery, with more than 100 burials already having taken place.