The first traditional Jewish burial in about 10 years was performed in Kalgoorlie-Boulder last month following the passing of a well-respected Jewish doctor.
Dr Avron Moffson served the Goldfields community for many years after immigrating from South Africa.
His passing last month prompted an outpouring of community compassion on social media and support from the WA Jewish community to conduct a traditional Jewish burial.
Dr Moffson was laid to rest in the Jewish section of the Kalgoorlie cemetery last month according to Jewish traditions.
Perth Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) president Mike Gomer and a group of volunteers led by Rabbi Shalom White of Chabad of WA travelled to Kalgoorlie-Boulder from Perth on October 13 to conduct the funeral according to Jewish law.
Once home to a thriving Jewish community during the height of the gold rush in the early 20th century, Mr Gomer said there were currently six people identifying as Jewish in Kalgoorlie-Boulder according to a recent census.
He said facilitating Jewish funeral services in regional areas could often prove challenging as some burials traditions required several qualified volunteers.
One such tradition has a Minyan — a group of 10 Jewish men — present who can answer to the Kaddish prayer for liturgical purposes after the burial ceremony.
Read the article by Carwyn Monck in the Kalgoorlie Miner.