Cemetery Preservation Campaign
A CAJAC Initiative
Workmen’s Circle/Congregation Beth Israel
The Workmen’s Circle/Beth Israel Cemetery is comprised of 215 graves, is in good condition and on a consistent maintenance schedule.
Independent Order Brith Abraham (IOBA)
Van Liew Cemetery is home to two Jewish sections: IOBA’s section contains approximately 300 graves and is well-maintained by the Van Liew Cemetery.
Carteret Hebrew Fraternity (CHF)
We recently commenced a large-scale restoration of the CHF cemetery. The cemetery consists of approximately 80 graves, consumed by overgrowth, obstructing graves.
Workmen’s Circle/Congregation Beth Israel
The Workmen’s Circle/Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ, which is comprised of 215 graves, is in good condition and on a consistent maintenance schedule, with regular grass cutting and vegetation management. Recently, saplings, ivy and overgrowth were removed from the cemetery.
Restoration
Approximately 30 stones need to be remounted. In some instances, this requires a complete removal of the stone and a repouring of the foundation.
- Individual stone repair sponsorship: $500
- Total project sponsorship: $20,000
In addition, the front pillars at the cemetery entrance have deteriorated.
- Pillar replacement sponsorship: $25,000
- Pillar repair: sponsorship: $10,000
At Beth Israel’s second site, located at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge (no legal or formal connection between the two), the organization’s pillars are leaning and require re-setting.
- Pillar repair sponsorship: $7000
Long Term Needs
Currently, Workmen’s Circle and Beth Israel have insufficient funds to assure their annual maintenance and repairs for the long haul. That said, the present endowment must be bolstered.
- Annual maintenance sponsorship: $5000
- One week of maintenance: $180
- Endowment contributions: sponsorship levels TBD
Aesthetic Enhancements
- Sponsorship of reflection area, including 2-3 benches: $3000
- Sponsorship of rock garden with Jerusalem stones: $2000
Independent Order Brith Abraham (IOBA) (at Van Liew Cemetery)
Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick, NJ, is a non-sectarian cemetery, which is home to two Jewish sections: IOBA’s section contains approximately 300 graves and is well-maintained by the Van Liew Cemetery. The cemetery is not compensated for its maintenance services provided to IOBA. Van Liew indicates having been given $14,000 from IOBA when it disbanded in 1998. It is believed that money was depleted several years ago.
Restoration
The cemetery has requested our help to remove the ledgers, enabling more efficient maintenance (allowing mowers to pass through unobstructed).
- Sponsorship of individual ledger removal: $360
- Sponsorship of ledger removal: $6000
- Sponsorship of annual maintenance costs: $2000
Aesthetic Enhancements
- Sponsorship of reflection area, including 2-3 benches: $3000
- Sponsorship of rock garden with Jerusalem stones: $2000
Carteret Hebrew Fraternity (CHF)
At Carteret Hebrew Fraternity, Fords, NJ, we recently commenced a large-scale restoration of the CHF cemetery, which had been in a state of disrepair for many years. The cemetery, which consists of approximately 80 graves, has been consumed by invasive overgrowth obstructing graves. In addition, at least 10 large monuments, each weighing nearly 2 tons, are at risk of toppling. Besides large monuments, at least 20 standard-size monuments need to be remounted, most requiring new foundations as well.
Restoration
Sponsorship of dangerous monument remediation: $25,000
- Sponsoring additional monument remediation: $10,000
- Sponsorship of full cemetery clean-up: $15,000
Long Term Needs
CHF has minimal – and depleting resources – for their annual maintenance and upkeep. Funding is needed for the cemetery’s annual maintenance, as well for a permanent endowment.
- Annual maintenance sponsorship: $3000
- Endowment contributions: sponsorship levels TBD
CHF’s Beth Israel site, home to approximately 75 graves, is reasonably well-maintained. A crumbling pathway needs to be replaced.
- Sponsorship of pathway replacement: $10,000
Aesthetic Enhancements
- Sponsorship of reflection area, including 2-3 benches: $3000
- Sponsorship of rock garden with Jerusalem stones: $2000
CAJAC NY Office: c/o New York Board of Rabbis 420 Lexington Ave – Suite 458-460 New York, NY 10170
CAJAC NJ Office: 368 Owen Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (914) 574 7057
