New beginning for vandalized Philadelphia Jewish cemetery
A Philadelphia cemetery vandalized in February has been repaired with the help of more than $288,000 in donations from almost 3,000 persons from around the world.
Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday was part of the first official tour of the refurbished Mount Carmel Cemetery, which had 275 gravestones destroyed in the attack.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia led the restoration efforts.
“The symbolic first tour will serve as a public display of Jewish Federation’s deep appreciation for the Philadelphia community’s support and encouragement following the vandalism and throughout the extensive repair process,” the federation said in a statement.
Hundreds of volunteers, Jewish and non-Jewish, turned out after the vandalism to help clean up the cemetery and start the restoration project. Two Philadelphia labor unions also offered to assist in making the repairs and improving security.
The damage was discovered in late February days after a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis was vandalized. No suspects have been identified.
Following his morning tour, Kenney tweeted: “We’ll continue to respond to hate with love & speak out against injustice. Proud of how Philadelphia responded to repair Mt. Carmel Cemetery.”
In addition to fixing and righting the headstones damaged in the attack, another 225 stones that were at risk of falling also were repaired. The remaining funds were used for replacing the fences, filling holes around the restored stones, removing weeds and supplies.
Several hundred more stones also are in need of repair due to their age or vandalism dating back decades, according to the federation, which noted that the stones and their bases can weigh from 1,000 to 4,500 pounds (450 to 2,000 kg.). (JTA)