CONTRIBUTE TO THE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR HISTORIC CEMETERY

WE HAVE WORK TO DO!

The Barbados Jewish Community has the sole responsibility for the maintenance and restoration of the Historic Cemetery, adjacent to the Nidhe Israel Synagogue with graves dating back to 1658.

Donations made to the Cemetery fund are generally used for the on-going maintenance of the site, however, we have a renewed initiative to develop the understanding of methods and practices of preserving the resting place of our Jewish ancestors and for their restoration. This site holds historical value to our society and the intangible heritage of many Jews in the Caribbean and North America.

The value of preserving the sacred resting places of our ancestors is to save the integrity of our heritage before the physical spaces become unstable as time passes.

During the restoration of the Synagogue, in the early 2000s, many of the 400 Jewish graves were discovered under the blacktop of what was a parking lot. After careful excavation the tombstones and graves have been recorded and some restoration was performed.

Now we must again, engage universities, scholars, volunteers and skilled Conservators for the restoration of the marble and granite monuments.

Should you have a skill or interest to benefit our project and would like to contribute time to the Cemetery Restoration Project, please contact the Committee Chair bjc@jewishbarbados.org.