Speaker: Avraham Groll

Founded in 1888, the Hebrew Free Burial Association (HFBA) ensures that every Jew receives a dignified, traditional burial, regardless of means or family support. For more than a century, HFBA has served the New York Community with quiet compassion, stepping in when no one else can.

This presentation will explore HFBA’s history, mission, and current work, including the cemeteries it operates and the scope of its burial services today. It will also highlight the organization’s valuable genealogical records, which document tens of thousands of burials and are increasingly used by researchers and families. Attendees will learn what records are available and how to access them, including through platforms such as Ancestry.

This talk offers a unique perspective on the intersection of communal service, memory, and genealogy.

BIO:

Avraham Groll is Executive Director of the Hebrew Free Burial Association (HFBA), where he oversees efforts to ensure that every Jew receives a dignified, traditional burial, regardless of means. He spent 17 years at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, where he directed its genealogical research division and helped thousands of individuals explore their family histories and strengthen their sense of Jewish identity. His work reflects a deep commitment to helping Jews connect to their heritage, whether through uncovering their past or ensuring dignity at life’s end.

Meeting: