Letter from the Executive Director

Greetings! In my first newsletter as Executive Director of JCGC, I’d like to, again, acknowledge how honored I feel to fill this role in our community. I have long had an interest in Jewish cemeteries, their preservation, genealogy, our customs for burial and mourning, and the mitzvah of K’vod Ha’met, to care for the deceased. In Wichita, Kansas, where I was raised, my father chaired our synagogue’s cemetery committee for many years and both of my parents were members of the Chevra Kadisha.

And while I was in high school, I was sometimes asked by community members to be a shomer (guard) at the funeral home, while the deceased were awaiting burial. I remember being impressed by the respect with which each community member was treated and the way in which everyone pulled together in a time of need.

Since entering this position, I have heard from many community members positive feedback about our staff, the services we provide, interest in the history of our cemeteries, questions about various policies, and alerts for various minor maintenance. I have been struck by the way in which (almost) every member of our Cincinnati community has a connection that binds them to the work we do at JCGC, past, present, and future. I’m honored, again, to be a part of that mission.

David Harris
Executive Director