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Home / Jewish Cemetery Vandalism

Jewish Cemetery Vandalism

This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation magazine:

A massive act of vandalism at one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the St. Louis, Missouri, area in late February [2017], was just the first in a string of attacks on Jewish cemeteries throughout the United States.

Less than a week after vandals toppled more than 170 gravestones at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery over the weekend of Feb. 18-19, [2017,] Philadelphia police reported that about 100 headstones were damaged at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

The vandalism continued into early March when 16 graves at the Waad Hakolel Cemetery in Rochester, New York, were targeted.

The vandalism continued unabated over the summer. In July alone, vandals knocked over six headstones at the Netherlands Cemetery Association Burial Ground in Melrose, one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Massachusetts, and 60 headstones were knocked down at the Ateres Knesseth Israel Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.

Law enforcement officials worked to identify the perpetrators, and while the motives for the vandalism were unclear, David Posner, an official with the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, told ABC News that he had seen a “general rise in the intolerance in this nation now, and I think it gives the feeling that people can act with greater impunity.”

With investigations ongoing, cemetery officials and community members refused to let hate win. Thanks to the generosity of strangers and the hard work of volunteers, the cemeteries are being restored to their former glory.

In August, Chesed Shel Emeth held a rededication ceremony on cemetery grounds, after almost six months of fundraising and physical labor.

Andrew Rehfeld, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and other organizers, gave particular recognition to Tarek El-Messidi, the St. Louis-Post Dispatch reported. El-Messidi, a Muslim social justice advocate from Philadelphia, has been a presence in St. Louis since shortly after the cemetery made national headlines. He and another volunteer raised $160,000 for restoration efforts at the cemetery within a few weeks of the vandalism.

“At the core, every human being has the right to rest in peace,” El-Messidi told the newspaper.

And on Oct. 24, [2017,] the first official tour of the refurbished Mt. Carmel Cemetery was given.

The cemetery’s restoration efforts were led by The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which helped to raise more than $228,000 and coordinate the volunteer efforts of more than 300 individuals.

Following his tour of the cemetery, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney took to Twitter: “We’ll continue to respond to hate with love & speak out against injustice. Proud of how Philadelphia responded to repair Mt. Carmel.”

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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    1 month ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We had the great honor of hosting Roberto Mighty and crew this week in preparation for the second season of "The World's Greatest Cemeteries." Thank you to Jack Rabenstein and ALL community members who made this project happen! ... See MoreSee Less

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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    2 months ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We can't wait to welcome American Public Television (APT) to our cemeteries next week as they film the second season of “World’s Greatest Cemeteries." We look forward to sharing the incredible history of the Chestnut Street Cemetery and highlighting the important contributions of those buried in our cemeteries. Learn more in this Cincinnati CityBeat article.#JewishCemeteries #JewishCincy200 ... See MoreSee Less

    Cincinnati’s Jewish Cemeteries to be Featured on American Public Television's 'World’s Greatest Cemeteries' Series

    www.citybeat.com

    American Public Television will be coming to the Queen City June 30 and taping will continue through July 1.
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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    2 months ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We are thrilled to share that JCGC Board Member Marlene Ostrow was honored with the Mesel Wieder Mensch Award at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Sustainers event on Wednesday. You might know Marlene as a dedicated volunteer who serves as the Chair of JCGC's Create Your Jewish Legacy Team, former Co-Chair of the Chestnut Street Committee, and as a member of the JCGC Executive Committee, Marketing Committee, and 200th Committee. This is all in addition to the volunteer work she does with many area organizations. Marlene is a “doer” who gets things done and leads by example. We are grateful to have her talents on the JCGC Board. Join us in giving Marlene a big “mazel tov!”The Mesel Wieder Mensch Award was established in 1999. The award recognizes a member of the Cincinnati Jewish Community who personifies the meaning of the Yiddish word “Mensch.” A mensch is someone who is sensitive and cares about other human beings and is concerned about and works for the Jewish community. They do this without fanfare or any expectation of public recognition.Pictured: Marlene Ostrow, JCGC Board Member, and David Harris, Executive Director of JCGC#JewishCemeteries ... See MoreSee Less

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Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
3400 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-961-0178

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