The NSW Jewish community marked a historic milestone ending uncertainty about the future of Jewish burial in Sydney with the consecration of a new Jewish burial section at Macarthur Memorial Park in Varroville. 

The site has been established through years of advocacy and collaboration led by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, in close partnership with the Sydney Beth Din, the Sydney Chevra Kadisha and Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria.

The consecration ceremony, held on Sunday afternoon, was attended by the Hon Ron Hoenig MP – Minister for Local Government, leaders of the Jewish community, religious authorities and members of the broader public.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and the Sydney Beth Din led the ceremonial proceedings, guiding guests around the new section seven times.  

“The consecration of a new Jewish cemetery is a rare event of immense significance. Its impact stretches far beyond the present moment” said NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip who began proceedings. 

“This burial space will allow us to uphold our sacred burial obligations and serve generations of our community. It will be a site of immense significance and meaning to so many and a place of memory, of mourning and of profound connection between past, present and future. 

“We are proud to have resolved the burial crisis facing our community and secured sufficient burial space to last until the end of the century. 

“I thank all those whose hard work and persistence led to this outcome, including former JBD President David Knoll, and also acknowledge with gratitude the NSW Government for its commitment to facilitating this outcome.” Mr Ossip said.   

The new Jewish section is the first stage in what will become a significant burial site for the Jewish community, with over 28,000 graves to be made available across three development phases. It will provide sufficient burial space for the community until the end of the century. 

This milestone reaffirms the strength of Jewish communal planning and ensures that Jewish life—and death—is honoured with dignity and respect in NSW