Working On The Cemetery



The basis of the service project was restoring a Jewish cemetery that had been desecrated during the Holocaust by Nazis. They came through relatively Jewish villages similar to Sopotskin and defiled anything resembling Judaism. Since the Holocaust, over 60 years ago, this cemetery had remained virtually untouched. The group of staff and students set out to segregate it from other land pastures and wilderness while also beautifying it, restoring its honor and memory for those that been buried there.



Basic entrance that had been constructed by Michael a year earlier

Laying down the fenceline before construction


After arriving at the site, the group began laying out the fence around the perimeter of the cemetery and digging holes to eventually cement in place. The fence was constructed by a foundry in Belarus and was made of wrought iron with a double Jewish star design in the middle. With the help of community members the majority of the fence was laid out and most holes had been dug.



Fence being brought to the work site

Fence used to secure perimeter of the cemetery

Moving the fence from the truck



Digging holes for the fence

Alexis digging a hole

John and Sam carrying a fence


The following day the group began situating the fence in the holes, mixing cement and securing the fence upright and together. Although, the tasks were difficult in the hot weather, everyone began to see the fruits of their labor as the fence began taking true shape.



Ethan and Sam mixing the first batch of cement

Jeff directing others holding the fence

Ivan holding up the fence



Everyone helping to hold the fence up while the cement dries

Kristan and Ethan filling in one of the first few holes with cement


While putting up the fence, there was also a conscious effort to beautify what once probably was a well-maintained cemetery. To beautify the grounds, the group propped up knocked down gravestones, documenting through photographs the stone inscriptions. Also, through the use of a weedwacker, a few students and staff went through the cemetery chopping away weeds that had made the cemetery appear overgrown.



Lifting up a gravestone

Deciphering the inscription on the gravestone



Evan on the weedwacker

Jan using the weedwacker


After skipping a day of work on Saturday for Shabbat, the group finished up work on the fence on Sunday and Monday. In order to finish on time, the group worked extra hard mixing cement, re-digging some holes, and setting up the fence. Fortunately, the caretaker of the surrounding fields, ‘Shaq’, helped out with his horse-drawn wagon, bringing buckets of cement up the hill and just pitching in wherever help was needed. Without his help as well as the help from the rest of the community members, the finished fence would probably not have been possible.



Igor getting some stones out of the way

Ethan and Alexis holding up the fence

Mixing some cement



Carolyn getting a view on Shaq's cart

Shaq getting a stone out of the way

Shaq taking things into his own hands



Everyone holding up the fence

Another vantage point

John filling in the last hole


The group then held a final service commemorating the work that had been done and for those memory that had been preserved through the restoration. After this service, the group took a final look at what had been accomplished, hoping that they had set a precedent for the future.



A little ride courtesy of Shaq

The finished fence

Everyone walking back from a last look


INTERESTED IN SEEING MORE DETAILS FROM THIS TRIP?
Just click below on the part of the trip to see more information and pictures!

Introduction

Poland

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Work on the Cemetery

Homestays/Interaction with Community

Minsk/Warsaw


Any Questions?
Contact Dartmouth Hillel at (603) 646-0410 or Hillel@dartmouth.edu
Contact the Tucker Foundation at (603) 646-3350 or Tucker.Foundation@dartmouth.edu
Thanks!

Website created by Ethan Levine '03
ethan.levine@dartmouth.edu
Photos by Evan Konwiser '03, Ethan Levine '03,
Joshua Lozman '01, & Jeff Murphy '02