Monday, July 28, 2008

Kracow Cemetery

The tin roofs on top of the headstones are for placing stones.

Since ancient times, it has been the custom to mark the grave with a stone or monument. After Rachel died, "Jacob erected a monument on Rachel's grave" (Genesis 35:20). The marker or monument serves to identify the grave so that relatives will find it when they visit, honor the memory of the deceased, and identify a place of burial so that kohanim (priests) will avoid it as required by Jewish law.

From the 15th Century.



In WWII, the Nazi's up rooted the Headstones and smashed them into pieces. After the war the Jews built a wall around the cemetery using the broken Headstones. In some what of an effort to make a Wailing Wall, for those who had been up rooted.

1 comment:

Dawn @ alteredartists said...

Karen,


This photograph just brings me to tears. What a disgraceful action turned into a monument of strength and solidarity. It must have been an emotional trip for you and your family.
I am so glad to see you in bloggy land again.
Will you be attending Art Unraveled? I would love to meet up for breakfast or lunch.
Stephanie Wright
Swright426@aol.com