Szczebrzeszyn Jewish Cemetery Project

Local media picked up the story.

2009-11-19T13:50:00.002+01:00

Local daily "Dziennik Wschodni" wrote an article about the letter to the Mayor of Szczebrzeszyn and intervention of Rabbi Schudrich and Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.

Sad visit to the cemetery

2009-11-15T21:13:00.008+01:00

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

2009 Update

2009-04-18T16:13:00.002+02:00

As far as I know, nothing has been done lately to protect and renovate the ancient Jewish cemetery of Szczebrzeszyn.

Among friend and acquaintances the idea has sprouted to form an association solely for the purpose of renovation and historical study of the monument instead of waiting for the authorities and legal owners to do the job.

The works on the legal status have started and we should come up with registration documents shortly.

If you would like to join or simply have ideas that might help please contact us at shebreshin@yahoo.com

New co-ordinator of the project

2007-11-14T20:47:00.001+01:00

I would like to inform you, that the Szczebrzeszyn Cemetery Project is now under supervision of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Jewish Heritage in Poland (Fundacja Ochrony Dziedzictwa Zydowskiego) in Warsaw.

Please contact the Foundation regarding the Szczebrzeszyn Jewish Cemetery Project at: http://fodz.pl/?d=1&l=en

First donation

2007-10-07T07:21:00.000+02:00

I am happy to inform you, that the first donation has been made. Thank you very much!

I hope this will encourage other good-hearted people to help bring back dignity to this over 500 years old Jewish cemetery of Szczebrzeszyn.

How to donate

2007-08-09T14:34:00.000+02:00

Mr. Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland, was so generous to grant me permission to use his New York fund to ease the process of fund raising. The donors can simply mail their personal check and receive a tax-deduction and the authority of the Chief Rabbi of Poland guarantees proper usage of their donation.

To help in this endeavor please mail your check or Money Order to:

FJC - Jewish Community of Poland Fund

520 Eight Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10018

All the donors are kindly asked to add a note that the donation is for Shebreshin project. Donors should also email information that donation was made, from whom and the amount to shebreshin@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Leaflet

2007-08-09T13:01:00.000+02:00

We were supposed to start the project in May 2007. Due to unforeseen circumstances we were not able to make it at this time. Fortunately this gives us more time for preparation and fund-rising for the 2008 edition. Here is a recruitment leaflet - outdated already, but it gives you an idea about the project:

Living Memory - A Jewish Cemetery Restoration Project

2007-08-09T12:54:00.000+02:00

This is a brief information regarding the LIVING MEMORY - A Jewish Cemetery Restoration Project. I am very proud and grateful, that can be part of such an undertaking focusing on bringing Christians and Jews together, in my hometown: Szczebrzeszyn.

WCPO TV Authorization

2007-08-09T12:45:00.000+02:00

The restoration process as well as the whole Living Memory Cemetery Project journey will be documented by the WCPO - TV Channel 9 (ABC) from Cincinnati, OH.

PHOTOS

2007-08-09T10:55:00.000+02:00

Here are some photos from the cemetery