Re: [Cz-L] Czernowitz Jewish Cemetery

Hi Mimi:

Sorry I couldn't respond to you any sooner.

I think you're right that an organization needs to be developed and
formalized. That would give the oversight and care of the cem. to a
group that would outlive its founders, or any interested individuals.
Short and long term care solutions would be needed. A group would
need to start by investigating what's known out there, and how other
organizations could help. (B'nai Brith? JNF? International
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad?
http://www.isjm.org/ Int. Survey of Jewish Monuments; Pres. Sam
Gruber hails from Radauti heritage and lives near me in Syracuse).
Regarding Sam, he has already advised the Radauti cemetery
preservation group that use of herbicides for complete vegetation
removal is not recommended; the root systems help hold monument
upright and death of the root systems causes monuments to topple. I
nominate Sam for membership!

In 2003/04, group member Melita Vickter started to work with Toby
Mendelowitz to raise funds for a survey to start a project to restore
the Cz. cemetery. Toby is with the Heritage Foundation for the
Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries <www.hfpjc.org>. Melita raised
maybe 1000 to 2000 dollars, and with such a small sum, elected to
return the donations to everyone rather than start a non viable
project.

Whatever group you organize, should consider whether the HFPJC could
or should be hired, based on recommendations, experience, cost, etc.
A person like Sam Gruber could also advise us in this respect.
Recommendations from users of the HFPJC could be gathered and
examined.

Maybe from among the reunion attendees, there will be renewed
interest and enthusiasm for what you propose, and a better
international network of people to help with fundraising
possibilities.

Thanks so much for taking on this task and pushing it front and center again.

Bruce
Received on 2006-05-30 08:10:01