Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel is located at 2401 Steeles Avenue West (at Alness, between Dufferin and Keele) in Toronto. The Chapel was custom-built and opened in August 1977 (Av 5737).

Throughout the Chapel lighting is as natural as possible. The colours and textures are warm and soothing to provide a calm environment allowing visitors to reflect on their loss. All artwork is done by Israeli artists or is Jewish-themed.

It is a mitzvah (good deed), respecting the departed, to attend a funeral. Because of this, Jewish funerals often have a higher attendance than other funerals. The chapel is designed to accommodate up to approximately 1,100.

The Chapel has many symbolic, thoughtful features. Consideration, tradition, service, and function have been the guide for the building’s design. Functional features solve problems.

Doors – Solid oak doors mark the entrances to the Chapels. Each pair has a symbolic ‘tree of life’ reaching from the earth up to the heavens.

Frieze – A dramatic and symbolic frieze is located above and around the foyer as you enter. This work of art was created by noted Israeli artist Arie Dubi. The frieze tells the story of the Jewish people. Starting -from right to left - with the easily recognizable Ten Commandments, the covenant that represents the birth of the Jewish people.

The centre panel represents the crossing into the Promised Land. This marks the founding of the Jewish nation, its traditions, customs, and heritage. A shofar, chanukiah, candles, and other traditional symbols as well as prayers can be seen in the frieze. Each element has significance and meaning.

The left panel represents transitions and the creation of the world to come. The Magen David represents the heavenly shield and is also part of the Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel logo.

Torah cover - A framed Torah cover hangs from the east wall of the Chapel foyer. It originated in 1873 as a gift from the local Chevra Kadisha to the synagogue in the Slovakian town of Spišské Podhradie (Kirchdrauf in German) specially for use at Yizkor. During the Holocaust, the entire Jewish population of the town and nearby Košice (14,000 people) were deported via cattle cars to the concentration camps.

This fragile fabric reminds us of the struggles our people have faced and the sacred relationship between the Chevra Kadisha and the community.

This cover survived the war and came to Toronto where the largest per capita surviving Holocaust population exists, outside of Israel. This large population of Holocaust survivors contributes to the governance of our institutions and how we approach burial practices, as we respect their traditions and influence on our interpretation of the traditions.

Chevra Kadisha Plates - In the foyer, between the entrances to the Chapels, is a large china cabinet of great significance. The tradition of the Chevra Kadisha societies in Europe was to have a special meal thanking all those who have contributed to its function over the course of the previous year. This meal required special plates that were only used on the 7^th of Adar, the birth and death date of Moses.

For more than 100 years, Benjamin’s, the longest-running Chevra Kadisha in Toronto, has evolved this practice. Each year, a new commemorative plate design is created and one example is placed in the display cabinet in the foyer. It reminds us of the unbroken continuity of our traditions.

Flames burning – It is important that a flame is constantly burning in the presence of a dead body. You will see these in any location at Benjamin’s where a body may be.

Visitors sign-in – Conveniently situated in the foyer outside the Chapels, these provide easy access for mourners to sign condolence books before entering the Chapels.

Kippah – Kippah (plural is Kippot), yarmulkes, or head coverings are available on a complimentary basis in the foyer next to the condolence books just outside the Chapels. These are for all to use.

Chapels – There are two Chapels. The large Chapel can seat up to 500 people with excellent line-of-sight and extraordinary acoustics. The adjoining small Chapel can seat up to 200 people. The wall between the two Chapels can be removed and the joined rooms can then accommodate approximately 1,100 people.

Family Rooms – There are discreet family rooms adjoining the chapels to allow the Family privacy in advance of the funeral service. The goal is to maintain focus on and respect for the deceased before burial. These rooms allow the family to see the casket while maintaining privacy. To avoid interruptions that might take the focus off the deceased, the external door leading to the Chapel is only accessible from the Family Room. There is no doorknob allowing entrance from the Chapel.

Treasured Historic Artifacts are presented in a display case in the entrance foyer. These represent the millennia of Jewish tradition. Oil lamps that are more than two thousand years old confirm the tradition of a lighted flame in the presence of the dead.

Streaming of Services is available for those who are housebound or out-of-town and unable to attend a service. Instructions are available in the death listings.

Cohanim traditionally cannot attend a funeral under the same roof as a funeral. This is to respect their purity. Benjamin’s has a separate structure with ample viewing and listening access to the Chapel allowing Cohanim to witness the funeral without being visible to the remaining community. This unique facility was the first of its kind in North America.

Family Arrangement Meeting Rooms are separate from the area of the Chapels, allowing Families the privacy of their consultation without distraction from any funeral in progress. These comfortable sitting rooms provide a warmth and comfort that is helpful during a difficult discussion and decision-making period. Note that none of these rooms has a mirror. This respects the tradition that mourners should not see their reflections.

Accessibility – The building is completely accessible from the street, from drop-off areas to the Main Entrance or to the Family Rooms. Areas are accessible inside to the Chapels as well. There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator to reach the lower floor Family consultation rooms.

Email Bulletins – Benjamin’s offers an outbound email service that issues listings of funerals scheduled. These email bulletins are issued twice per day to ensure that the community is aware of funerals scheduled. They also include Shiva and Unveiling information. This service includes all relevant community funerals, not only those at Benjamin’s.

Radio connection – When waiting in the parking lot for instructions or updates, mourners can tune to 96.5FM for ongoing information regarding a funeral in progress.

Parking lots are arranged for easy staging of the funeral procession behind the Chapel. Traffic directors are present to assist those arriving to ensure they are correctly parked.

Non-Public Area – The deceased is received in the Chapel’s non-public area where it is accorded respect and prepared for burial. The taharah ritual washing is done in a mikvah by the Chevra Kaddisha before being dressed in tachrichim according to tradition.

During this time there is a perpetual flame burning and the deceased are accompanied by a Shomer performing the Shmeera. This non-public area complies with the laws of Ontario and Canada and also to the Higher Power of Jewish rites, rituals and traditions.

Guided Tours of the public areas of the Chapel are available by arrangement for interested groups and school classes. It is a very educational event for children, helping them to learn of the respect the Jewish funeral traditions provide to the deceased and their families.