Nov 15, 2009

Sad visit to the cemetery






In the end of September I went to show Szczebrzeszyn Jewish cemetery to my friend working at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. To our disgust the old, metal gateway falls apart and the fence is ripped in many places. The place looks abandoned. But not - we spotted a group of youngsters sitting on the gravestones having a conversation. We could hardly see the matzevot because of the overgrown vegetation. At the center of the cemetery we saw a signs of regular hang-outs of locals: broken bottles, juice cartons, cigarette buts and other garbage.

I wrote an email to the Mayor of the town copying the Office of the Chief Rabbi of Poland, CEO of the Fundation for the Preservation of the Jewish Heritage in Poland and other institutions. The Office of Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland contacted me recently with information, that the Mayor has called up the sanitation services as well as the police. They informed me also, that the Chancellary of the President of Poland intervened as well.

Let's see if the interventions will do any good.

And remember: if you feel like helping in bringing back dignity to the Szczebrzeszyn's cemetery please contact me at shebreshin@yahoo.com