The Philadelphia area has numerous historic Jewish cemeteries, but this beautiful testament to Judaism’s deep local roots is often met with poor conditions: broken or fallen stones, uneven and unsafe ground, illegible inscriptions, and other damage.
How to viably restore and protect these sacred places into the future is a challenge debated by communities of all faiths, all over the country. A group of local Jewish volunteers decided to join forces and find an answer. Earlier this year, they created the Friends of Jewish Cemeteries (FJC), a special initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, to explore realistic strategies for improving poor conditions at mature properties, particularly in the oldest sections. While community clean-ups are invaluable, professional skills and equipment are necessary for extensively damaged areas.
“When neighbors and friends reached out because of the poor conditions at Har Nebo Cemetery in Oxford Circle, we knew we had to do better,” said State Rep. Jared G. Solomon, 202nd district of Philadelphia County, and a FJC advocate. “With the Jewish Federation and Friends of Jewish Cemeteries leading the charge, we as a community hope to chart a new course for how communities can repair, rebuild, and reimagine Jewish cemeteries throughout our region.”
In tackling this grand-scale restoration problem, FJC decided to focus first on Har Nebo, Philadelphia’s oldest privately-owned Jewish cemetery and one of the city’s largest. Through this pilot project, FJC will fund, secure and oversee expert-level rehabilitation of a section of graves representing the most common problems found in cemeteries in disrepair. At its conclusion, the group will produce a multimedia how-to guide, documenting its lessons learned that could serve as a model for other groups.
Work is set to begin in the fall of 2021 and will include lifting and repairing headstones, clearing undergrowth and reinforcing the surrounding ground.
A specific section of the cemetery has been selected for restoration, and now FJC needs experienced genealogy hobbyists to help find their descendants. Walter Spector, a volunteer genealogist, is supporting the effort and hopes members of the community with research experience will join him in the work. There are also a variety of other on-site and in-home volunteer opportunities, such as assistance with fundraising, securing landscaping and stone repair supplies, publicity, and production of the guide.
“The popularity of genealogy research has brought newfound attention to historic and mature cemeteries as well as the escalating problems in many of them,” said Rich Blumberg, leader of FJC. “When you talk with others who share these concerns about sustaining our legacy, the task often seems beyond our reach. The goal of FJC and its pilot project is to challenge that notion.”
Those interested in learning more about genealogy research, saving historic cemeteries and honoring those at rest will have an opportunity to help clean up Har Nebo during a service day, sponsored by the Jewish Federation, on Sunday, October 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Volunteers will rake leaves, clip vines, pick up debris and participate in a memorial service for those interred at the historic site.
FJC’s pilot project goals include raising ongoing funds for further work at other area cemeteries, but Blumberg hopes that its success will extend far beyond that: “We want to raise awareness of the conservation needs of these special places, offer a pragmatic path to success and inspire others to join us.”
For more information about FJC and involvement opportunities, visit jewishphilly.org/cemetery or contact Addie Klein, aklein@jewishphilly.org. To register for the cleanup day at Har Nebo on Oct. 17, visit jewishphilly.org/cemeterycleanup.
Help FJC find a descendant of these people – or is that you?
The following graves are in the section of Har Nebo that will be professionally restored. FJC wants to find relatives and make them aware of this special project. Direct descendants can also choose not to have a headstone reset.
Isadore Bennett; D.O.D. Jan. 30, 1921
Mollie Bennett; D.O.D. Nov. 11, 1918
Anna Berman (1861-1931)
Nathan Berman (1854-1913)
Harry Chertok; D.O.D. May 23, 1924
Abraham Ginsburg; D.O.D. June 27, 1920
Jacob Krantz; D.O.D. August 19, 1920
Chaya Sara Patelson; D.O.D. March 3, 1936
Ya’akov Patelson; D.O.D. February 11, 1931
Yechezkel Spritzler; D.O.D. December 2, 1924
Morris Yuter; D.O.D. July 24, 1924
The following headstones may also be repaired, based on available funds and location:
Harry Averich; D.O.D. December 27, 1919
Josey Barbash; D.O.D. March 7, 1898
Chane Brooks; D.O.D. March 5, 1917
Emma Burcharesky; D.O.D. January 3, 1918
Fannie Fisher; D.O.D. September 25, 1932
Louis Fisher; D.O.D. April 8, 1926
Maurice Fishman; D.O.D. December 13, 1918
Jennie Gallant; D.O.D. January 6, 1915
Avraham Ginsberg; D.O.D. June 28, 1920
Pepy Gluck; D.O.D. October 30, 1990
Baby Kemp; D.O.D. June 4, 1897
Bella Kornig; D.O.D. August 23, 1898
Rose Krantz; D.O.D. February 9, 1933
Elizabeth Kulla; D.O.D. September 17, 1922
Birdie Lehrfeldt; D.O.D. June 11, 1897
Hessie Lehrfeldt; D.O.D. June 16, 1897
Rosa Lehrfeldt; D.O.D. June 9, 1897
Annie Mirkin; D.O.D. November 1, 1920
Jennie Polienich; D.O.D. January 17, 1922
Jacob Rosenberg; D.O.D. February 28, 1936
Dora Rubin; D.O.D. April 25, 1923
Samuel Rubin; D.O.D. March 16, 1975
Aaron Sattin; D.O.D. October 23, 1924
Sarah Seltzer; D.O.D. October 11, 1918
Rosena Spritzler; D.O.D. January 28, 1914
Abraham Weiner; D.O.D. December 6, 1923
Frieda Weisen; D.O.D. July 7, 1896
Harry Wiener; D.O.D. November 4, 1908
If you have experience doing genealogy research and can help or if you are a possible descendant, please contact Rich Blumberg, rich.blumberg@comcast.net
*D.O.D. means Date of Death
