Cemetaries

[marym]

In addition to hopefully researching my own family, I am researching religious life in Ukraine for a book. I have found some information about some cemetaries online but need to know more. I am trying to learn as much as possible before going back to Ukraine again. For example, I read about how many of the old Jewish cemetaries have been treated with disrespect, with the tombstones being destroyed, the land being taken over for crops or sports fields. I had been raised to believe that cemetaries are sacred and my own father took care of a tiny cemetary not even of his own religion, just because it was the right thing to do. I am curious about attitude about this (besides my own families attitude).
Thank you.

[marywerb]

Hello marym,

I saw your note and thought I check something out.
I live in Holland.

So what I did was go to GOOGLE and type in:
Jewish cemeteries in Holland. The world is opening to you.

The way you and your family think it's the way I think.
It's fine!!!!!

It does not matter what religion you have, respect is the main thing.

I wish you lots of luck with your book.

Mary

[Hannia]

Marym,

I have been around the world and have found that in most 3rd World Countries, notwithstanding religion, village cemeteries take very little priority, except when there is direct family to tend to them.

After the US, Israel and Russia, the Jewish community of Ukraine is the fourth largest in the world. Although Jews are demographically concentrated around large cities like Kiev, Dnipropetrivsk, Odessa and Kharkiv, Jews also live in the smaller towns and villages. Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi, all have Jewish populations. When I visited Lviv last, I was told that there are about 6 thousand Jews residing there.

Wouldn't it be a more interesting subject for a book, if you were to examine why the Jewish communities in Ukraine are neglecting those cemeteries you are referring to?

To what extent did Communism erode the Jewish religion and change the rituals and perceptions of death?

What part does poverty play in the neglect of graveyards?

_______________________________________________________________________

PS> You did not acknowledge my response to one of your former posts. I assume it may have been oversight???

[Edited by Hannia on 6th May 2004 at 20:06]

[smf2002]

You might also go to http://www.jewishgen.org, where the subject of cemetaries is extensive.

Susan Farb

[marym]

Hannia, I regret not having answered this post sooner.
I mostly regret if something I had said offended you. That is most surely not my intent.
I currently do research for two professors (neither of whom is Jewish, if that matters) who are now working together for the first time. Between them they have done research on: various religions and their current views and practices concerning death; destruction of religious and cultural artifacts during and after war; the effects of war, poverty and cultural destruction as related to religion. They are looking to combine some of their unpublished studies into one or two books.
I asked one of the professors about your questions. He said that the population statistics he has show much smaller numbers of Jews in Lviv and that most of those there and in other regions had been transported there after the War as their homes were destroyed, they were not allowed to return to their own towns, etc. They may not know about the cemetaries, quite a few of which have been plowed over. He said many of those people are elderly now, many have no resources at all. Of course, yes, there are Jews still living in Poland and Ukraine. It is just the numbers and their backgrounds that he had info. on. He said this overlaps with his research interest - post war responses to evidence of war. Some of those cemetaries also have mass graves and are avoided by residents of all religions, everyone in the area as it is such a painful reminder of what everyone lost and the horror so many lived thru. Interesting, no? Having lived thru a trauma myself, I can understand the wish to avoid all reminders.

Your question about Communism eroding the Jewish religion is interesting too. I had not heard about this at all. From my limited knowledge, there have always been Jews who identify primarily with the relgion and those who identify primarily with the culture. I would very much be interested in learning more about this. I asked the other professor about this one as he has specialized more in political groups and he said much of that view of Jews as Communists was another stereotype. Statistically he had no evidence. He promised to find two articles that are researched based when I return. I am quite fortunate to be working with these gentlemen as they have great resources at their disposal and are so willing to help me learn and pursue all interests.

You are such a knowledgable woman with such interesting perceptions. I very much enjoy reading your posts and learning from you. Any resources you have on these topics, I would greatly appreciate.
Thank you for sharing so much.
I am also very curious about you and your background..it is as though you have led a very interesting life. If you would be willing to share about it, that would be something.
Thank you again.
mary

[marym]

Susan
Thank you for your suggestions.
It said you posted on the 9th but I just received your post now.