Birnbaum

Chevra Ahavas Chesed's primary purpose as a burial society, chevra kadisha.
The society has a membership of about 670 families, comprising 1,400 to 1,500 individuals, many of whom are American born or have no German ancestry.
It continues its tradition of substantial financial contributions to day schools, Shaarei Zedek hospital, various tzedakas in Eretz Yisrael, and other institutions in need of regular financial help.

In November, 1941, the founding meeting of the group took place.
They decided to acquire their own cemetery, so that member families would have to pay only a small burial and maintenance fee.
To save on costs, they proposed to make “group arrangements” with undertakers and do the taharas themselves.
The organization was established under the name Chevra Ahavas Chesed, the society of those who love kindness (chesed), suggested by Rabbi Simon Schwab, z”l, a fellow German Jew, Rav of the Shearith Israel Congregation on Glen Avenue, and the society’s religious advisor for many years.
Rabbi Schwab was succeeded by Rabbi Herbert Birnbaum, and then Rabbi Ervin Preis, z”l, and then Rabbi Moshe Hauer of the B’nai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation.
The group had some basic aims in its original bylaws, including “mutual aid and support in cases of illness...” and the practice of “loving-kindness in general and to perform charity as much as the means of the organization shall permit.”