President’s Message – December 10

“Jewish Cemeteries in Jamaica

On Sephardic World this Sunday, the Jamaican Jewish Cemeteries Preservation Fund (JJCPF) are launching their database of Jewish burial grounds. Extensive cataloguing of the Jewish burial sites across the island took place from 2008 to 2017. 33 Jewish burial locations were recorded, which includes synagogue purchased cemeteries, family burial grounds, those that were sold and no longer exist, and plot markers which were part of an interment ground that is now on residential property. Rachel Frankel and Joseph de Leon will discuss this important project, which helps fill a gap in our knowledge, as well as the need to preserve these historic Jewish sites.

Rachel Frankel is principal of the firm Rachel Frankel Architecture. The practice is located in New York City and best known for its contextual new buildings, sustainable alterations, and historic restorations. She is the co-author of Remnant Stones: The Jewish Cemeteries of Suriname. Frankel served in the Peace Corps in Togo, west Africa. Her Master in Architecture is from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and her Bachelor of Arts is from Duke University.

Joseph de Leon is a Jamaican Jewish descendant, and the current President of the Jamaican Jewish Cemeteries Preservation Fund. He is retired from a senior management position at Con Edison of New York, Inc. He enjoys various pursuits and spending time with his grandchildren. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, and a Masters degree in Business.