Chevrah Kadisha is the oldest Jewish welfare organisation in Johannesburg and the largest on the African continent, serving the local community since its founding in 1888. What began as a traditional burial society has grown into a comprehensive social services institution supporting nearly 10,000 community members through a wide range of programmes and facilities. The organisation manages residential care homes, support services for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families in need, alongside essential burial and cemetery services performed with dignity and respect according to Jewish customs and law. Chevrah Kadisha’s integrated approach ensures that all services from home based care to educational support and protected employment opportunities are professionally managed within a central structure that emphasises accountability, compassion and community wellbeing.
Chevrah Kadisha highlights its ongoing commitment to welfare and social support through accessible programmes addressing healthcare, financial assistance, and emergency response. The organisation’s Chev Services include 24/7 burial support, social and emotional counselling, student loan and education funds, subsidised housing, specialised healthcare provisions, and support for mental health and intellectual disabilities, reflecting a holistic vision of care that extends from cradle to grave. With sustained fundraising and donor partnerships, Chevrah Kadisha continues striving to ensure “no Jew gets left behind,” offering both practical resource distribution and compassionate support to those facing hardship in the Johannesburg Jewish community.