[Cz-L] The Cz. Jewish cemetery

Dear Czernowitzers,

A week ago I was at the Chernivtsi - Czernowitz Jewish cemetery.
The vegetation is even denser and higher than it was on my previous two
visits. Even though I knew quite well where the graves of my grandparents
were, I could not get to them because of the density of the vegetation.

While in Chernivtsi, I was approached both by the local Chabbad Rabbi,
Menachem Glisnshtein and by the head of the Jewish community, Lev Kleyman,
to raise money for the clean-up and restoration of the cemetery.

I am considering the possibility of setting up a non profit organization
to renovate the Czernowitz Jewish cemetery.

I suggested to Mr. Kleyman that he first inform himself of the exact legal
and procedural manner in which the local and state authorities would allow
us to proceed with this project.
At the same time, we would look into the technical aspects of doing the
clean-up; use of herbicides, feasibility and advisability of physically
removing shrubs and trees and paving or spreading gravel on the paths.

Once these objectives were taken care of, a contractor would have to be
found locally, who would undertake to restore a small section (3% - 5% of
the area) of the cemetery to given specifications and for an exact sum of
money. Sort of a pilot project. I think that the whole cemetery could be
restored for less than $50,000 and that it would be possible to raise about
$1000 - $2000 for an initial pilot project, without too much trouble.

I would like the objectives for this project to be clearly defined, the
procedures outlined and all fiscal arrangements set up legally, prudently
and transparently.

If any of you have knowledge about establishing a non-profit international
organization and the proper and legal ways of collecting and disbursing
money, I would value any advice.

Thanks in advance,

                Mimi (Miriam Taylor)
Received on 2006-05-29 06:01:10