Chevra Kadisha farewelling Finch
AFTER yom tov, Ephraim Finch’s three decades of dedicated work for the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha (MCK), including 25 years as director, will draw to a close. Having counselled countless families in their time of most need, he will ensure the valuable histories he has gathered are not lost.
AFTER yom tov, Ephraim Finch’s three decades of dedicated work for the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha (MCK), including 25 years as director, will draw to a close. Having counselled countless families in their time of most need, he will ensure the valuable histories he has gathered are not lost.
“I’ve got so many stories. I’m going to write. I’ve got to write,” the 71-year-old tells The AJN.
It is a relatively uncommon line of work, but most fascinating of all is perhaps Finch’s journey into it. He was brought up in an Anglican family, and didn’t discover Judaism until he was in his 20s.
He and his wife Cas decided to convert after reading Herman Wouk’s book, This Is My God, an account of Jewish Orthodoxy. From there, he became ensconced in every aspect of Judaism.
“There was only one part of Judaism I hadn’t had anything to do with – death,” he recalls.
It was when the rabbi who converted them passed away, and Finch was asked to go to the hospital to collect his body, that he received his first introduction to the way Jewish law approaches death and burial.
After that, he volunteered for the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, before settling in Melbourne. “I came to Melbourne knowing three Jews … I know basically everyone now,” he laughs.
With a keen interest in history, he takes the time to record the stories of many families who come through the doors of the MCK. In particular, he has taken an interest in Holocaust survivors from Poland.
“My biggest quest in life is to talk to people; to gather their histories,” he says simply.
Finch’s departure has been in the works for some time. A planned transition over the last five years has seen Fred Grossman looking after operations as general manager, while Finch has been focusing on the historical side of his work. He will continue this in his retirement at the Lamm Library, while also sharing his findings with the Genealogical Society of Victoria.
“For 25 years [as director] Ephraim lived and breathed, seven days a week, the Jewish community,” Grossman says.
“To think that someone for that period of time was in that role and gave of himself selflessly, always supporting the community first … is an unbelievable achievement.”
Now, Finch will focus on his own family history, taking a trip to Europe and Israel.
On his return, he looks forward spending more time with his family. But there’s no doubt he’ll still be a familiar face around the community he has grown to love.
“How can you not stop when you walk down Carlisle Street? We’re all connected,” he says, describing the Jewish community as a “country town inside a metropolis”.
He will be farewelled with a communal event this Sunday – though it’s clear he never sought any recognition.
“It’s touched me; it’s touched my family … I’m not here for achievement. I’m here as a Jew for the Jewish community.”
PHOEBE ROTH
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