Dramatic International Effort Secures Jewish Burial for Convert in Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A convert to Judaism, Yirmiyahu Kushchyan, was found deceased in his Jerusalem apartment. After his identity was confirmed, an international effort was launched to locate his non-Jewish brothers in Armenia. Initially resistant to a Jewish burial, the brothers eventually agreed after their visa and passport needs were met. They are now traveling to Israel for the funeral, scheduled for Wednesday.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Convert Yirmiyahu Kushchyan was found deceased in his Jerusalem apartment after neighbors reported a strange odor.
- ZAKA volunteers and emergency services worked for an extended period to respectfully handle the deceased and secure the scene.
- Identification efforts at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute positively confirmed Kushchyan's identity.
- Non-Jewish brothers of Kushchyan in Armenia were located after extensive international efforts.
- The brothers agreed to a Jewish burial in Israel after their visa and passport needs were met.
- Kushchyan converted to Judaism in 2011 and was known as a quiet and humble individual.
An unprecedented international effort concluded successfully, paving the way for the burial of Yirmiyahu Kushchyan, a convert to Judaism who was found deceased in his Jerusalem apartment. Kushchyan, approximately 60 years old, was discovered in his home on Mevo Nehabi Ha'pardes street in the French Hill neighborhood after neighbors reported an unusual odor. ZAKA volunteers, responding to an initial report from a week prior about a man found in his home days after his death, worked for an extended period to respectfully handle the deceased and collect evidence.
Shuki Baker, head of a weekly team in ZAKA's Jerusalem District, along with volunteers Bentsi Leizerovitz and Chaim Lendy, described the scene as difficult and complex. Kushchyan lived alone with no family in Israel. The apartment was filled with a large amount of waste and objects. Fire and rescue teams had to breach the apartment, where the man was found lifeless. The Magen David Adom (MDA) team confirmed his death.
The body was transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for identification. After extensive efforts, including CT scans and medical information, the deceased was positively identified. Simultaneously, ZAKA's legal department, under the direction of Jerusalem Commander Bentsi Oiring, worked to arrange his burial according to Jewish law. It was discovered that Kushchyan had two non-Jewish brothers living in Armenia. Despite extensive attempts to locate them through police, Interpol, and consulates, initial efforts were unsuccessful.
A breakthrough came when volunteer Yonatan Shor located a relative of Kushchyan on social media. With the assistance of Rabbi Gershon Meir Borshtein, Chief Rabbi of Armenia and director of the local Chabad House, contact was made with the deceased's brother. Initially, the non-Jewish brothers insisted on burying their brother in Armenia in a non-Jewish ceremony and refused a Jewish burial in Jerusalem. Following prolonged negotiations and marathon discussions led by ZAKA's legal department and Rabbi Borshtein, the brothers eventually agreed to a Jewish burial in Israel, but only if their immediate entry visas and passports to Israel were secured.
Through significant pressure and determined action with the authorities, the necessary documents and entry permits were rapidly processed. The brothers are now en route to Israel and are expected to arrive early tomorrow morning to attend the funeral and pay their final respects. Kushchyan, who passed away in 2011, converted to Judaism through a rabbinical court and studied at a yeshiva. He worked as a security guard at educational institutions and was known as a quiet, humble, and pleasant person. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 PM, departing from the Shagar Funeral Home in Jerusalem to Har HaMenuchot cemetery. Members of Rabbi Katzin's yeshiva are expected to attend and eulogize him.