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Long Island, NY - Jewish Tombstones Use to Prop-Up Golf Course Were Donated |
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Long Island, NY - The partially engraved Jewish tombstones used to shore up a Long Island golf course were donated by two former members roughly 50 years ago, according to the facility's president.
The Woodmere Club investigated the origin of the stones -- several of which bear full names -- after members raised concerns stemming from a report in today's Post on the macabre markers yesterday.
In an e-mail sent to members this afternoon, President Norman Raber stated that an "internal investigation" revealed that the markers were "flawed and excess" granite stones used to protect the course's 17th hole against the waters of Reynolds Channel.
The unnamed, now deceased pair who donated the stones operated either a graveyard or a monument company, according to golf course superintendent Don Mollitor.
"There were some concerns from members," he said. "They wanted to know where these stones came from." Mollitor said that the markers, none of which bear birth and death dates, were not used at cemeteries.
One of the pillars bears a Star of David while others are engraved with names including Hyman Friedman and Ira Feinberg.
Rabbi Heshy Blumstein of the Young Israel of Hewlett synagogue said that there is no inherent sanctity in a gravestone. "There is definitely insensitivity involved, but in terms of Jewish law I don't see it as a problem."
Because the stones are located at the club's fringes, members have been unaware of their decades long existence. "It's a disturbing find," said one longtime member. "I think people are sort of unsure what to make of it. It's uncomfortable."
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Read Comments (20) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 20, 2009 at 09:52 PM matzahlocal101 Says:
A matzaivah is assur bihanah and must be replaced.
-1995 Psak from Rav Eliyashiv regarding the stones that were being removed from Mokom Shalom Cemetery in Queens By David Jacobsen in attempt to bury a second layer of dead. This, with the approval and encouragement of Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Jaconsen currently receives about $1600.00 a month in rental fees for the cell tower that was built on the site of the old office building. The money should be put into restoring and preserving the cemetery grounds. It doesn't look like it is.
2
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:10 PM I am not a Rabbi but.... Says:
Rabbi Reisman gave a shuir this year where he mentioned specifically that a matzayva has tuma to it. i dont remember but it may even be tomay mays.
So the question is, in a machlokes between Rav Yisroel Reisman and the Rabbi of the YI of Hewlett, whom would you pasken like? I know whom I would follow.
3
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:10 PM Anonymous Says:
this is creepy. regardless.
4
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:18 PM Anonymous Says:
“ A matzaivah is assur bihanah and must be replaced.
-1995 Psak from Rav Eliyashiv regarding the stones that were being removed from Mokom Shalom Cemetery in Queens By David Jacobsen in attempt to bury a second layer of dead. This, with the approval and encouragement of Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Jaconsen currently receives about $1600.00 a month in rental fees for the cell tower that was built on the site of the old office building. The money should be put into restoring and preserving the cemetery grounds. It doesn't look like it is. ”
Looks like you're having a little comprehension issue! The point of this whole article was to say that these stones WERE NEVER USED AS A MATZEIVAH! They therefor have no Kedushah AT ALL!
5
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:26 PM Sam Says:
“ A matzaivah is assur bihanah and must be replaced.
-1995 Psak from Rav Eliyashiv regarding the stones that were being removed from Mokom Shalom Cemetery in Queens By David Jacobsen in attempt to bury a second layer of dead. This, with the approval and encouragement of Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Jaconsen currently receives about $1600.00 a month in rental fees for the cell tower that was built on the site of the old office building. The money should be put into restoring and preserving the cemetery grounds. It doesn't look like it is. ”
To #1 and #2. Both cases you refer to are used matzeivos. All indications are that these were never used.
6
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM Favil Says:
“ To #1 and #2. Both cases you refer to are used matzeivos. All indications are that these were never used. ”
To Sam, how would you know that these matzeivos were never used. According to the report here on VIN the 2 people who donated this are 'deceased' and they don't know if they worked at a monument company which in that case it was probably not used yet, or they worked at a graveyard, which in that case it might be from someone. But this could not be verified due to them being DEAD!
7
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM Anonymous Says:
As a cohen I'd rather play tennis for now
8
Jul 20, 2009 at 11:09 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Rabbi Reisman gave a shuir this year where he mentioned specifically that a matzayva has tuma to it. i dont remember but it may even be tomay mays.
So the question is, in a machlokes between Rav Yisroel Reisman and the Rabbi of the YI of Hewlett, whom would you pasken like? I know whom I would follow. ”
Its unreal how you don't remember what was said at the shiur but already you have machlokes.
Its the 3 weeks. Rabboisai, if you have nothing smart to say, then why can't you just read the article and move on.
9
Jul 20, 2009 at 10:59 PM Anonymous Says:
“ To Sam, how would you know that these matzeivos were never used. According to the report here on VIN the 2 people who donated this are 'deceased' and they don't know if they worked at a monument company which in that case it was probably not used yet, or they worked at a graveyard, which in that case it might be from someone. But this could not be verified due to them being DEAD! ”
Favil!!!!!!, can you read????, the article clearly states that no birth or death dates are recorded on these stones, meaning this was used as a sample by a monument company or as display at the cemetery office, so before you rant read!!!!!!!!
10
Jul 21, 2009 at 06:16 AM Five Towns Resident Says:
What kind of ghoul would donate tombstones to prop up a golf course? I have to believe that these were models and not used. However, the tippish who donated them should have erased the names on them or somehow otherwise made it clear that these were not used tombstones.
11
Jul 21, 2009 at 08:22 AM Anonymous Says:
to numbers 1-2-10 you all hasve big disgustings mouths' insulting a rav that you do not know and 2 dead jews;
12
Jul 21, 2009 at 09:19 AM Rabbi Blumstein Says:
To my dear chaver in post # 2.I told the reporter that i am not an expert in torah law.I simply told him since the stones were never used there is no kedushah in them.We work on our sinas chinam on the nine days not promote it .I am mochel you belev shalom
13
Jul 21, 2009 at 09:49 AM mark levin Says:
these were misprints donated silly
14
Jul 21, 2009 at 01:39 PM Rolling Stones Says:
Weren't Yidden banned from golf courses 50 years ago? Something doesn't seem right about this story, and even if they were somehow donated, it is completely disgusting and horrific to have matzevas with people's names on them in such a place. Those are actual people's names even if misspelled!
15
Jul 21, 2009 at 03:52 PM Anonymous Says:
perhaps they were used as 'advertisement' or a template in a tombstone store
eh
16
Jul 21, 2009 at 04:22 PM Charles Says:
"Long Live Rabbi Blumstein Shlit"a"
17
Jul 21, 2009 at 05:40 PM Anonymous Says:
Amen..blie ayin hara
18
Jul 21, 2009 at 09:48 PM Sam Says:
“ Weren't Yidden banned from golf courses 50 years ago? Something doesn't seem right about this story, and even if they were somehow donated, it is completely disgusting and horrific to have matzevas with people's names on them in such a place. Those are actual people's names even if misspelled! ”
#14: Couldn't you think of a better name to use for this post!
19
Jul 22, 2009 at 03:17 AM matzahlocal101 Says:
“ Looks like you're having a little comprehension issue! The point of this whole article was to say that these stones WERE NEVER USED AS A MATZEIVAH! They therefor have no Kedushah AT ALL! ”
I do not have any comprehension issues at all. An unused tombstone is a block of stone with no halachic issues. Rabbi Blumstein's comment was not about unused blocks of stone it was about matzaivos and it was incorrect. I addressed that comment, not the stones listed in the article. I did compare the names with the (partial list) of stones that were removed from Mokom Shalom in Queens because of it's proximity to LI and the removal was done in the early 60's about half a century ago. One name matched, Hyman Friedman, but Troob and Ira Feinberg did not.
20
Jul 22, 2009 at 12:07 AM Doesnt matter Says:
I know Rabbi Blumstein personally, I have been a fan of his for a while now. He is really good Jew and a real talmud chacham. I know that he would not say anything unless he is for certain its true. So for Mr wise guy #2, if you dont know what you are talking abt please dont say anything. He is a really good warm rabbi.