Israeli to visit ancestors

August 14th, 2007

Israeli to visit ancestors' Perth Amboy graves
Home News Tribune Online 08/14/07
STAFF REPORT

PERTH AMBOY — The Friends for Preservation of Middlesex County Jewish Cemeteries Inc. is scheduled to have its first international visitor Sept. 2 when Avi Treistman of Jerusalem visits the graves of his great grandparents, Philip and Rachel Shore at the Congregation Shaarey Tefiloh Cemetery in Perth Amboy.
Previously most the tours offered by the organization have attracted family members from the Mid-Atlantic states, although some visitors have traveled from as far as Florida and California.

"We are thrilled that our organization and our Web site have helped so many people locate the graves of their ancestors and connect with their relatives," said Mona Shangold, president of the nonprofit organization.

"It is not surprising that someone living at a great distance, even abroad, would want to visit ancestral graves and we are glad that our efforts have enabled many people to locate and visit these graves. We are working with Avi to locate the graves of other relatives interred at these cemeteries too."

The organization has held a series of 12 tours since March 2006. The Sept. 2 tour is expected to attract a large crowd because it is customary for Jews to visit cemeteries near the High Holy Days. Many of Treistman's relatives are planning to visit the graves with him during his visit.

The tour will being at noon at the Hebrew Fraternity Cemetery entry gate on New Brunswick Avenue in Hopelawn. Following a one hour tour of the Hebrew Fraternity Cemetery, the group will move to the Congregation Shaarey Tefiloh Cemetery on Florida Grove Road in Perth Amboy for a one-hour tour of that cemetery.

The tour will offer history and other information. Visitors will have time to locate and visit the graves of their relatives.

Although the tours are free, advance registration is recommended.

Friends for Preservation of Middlesex County Jewish Cemeteries has scheduled its final tour for this year on Oct. 28. The schedule for 2008 tours is expected to be released in December and will be listed on the organization's Web site and in the newsletter.

In addition to the Web site, tours and newsletter, the organization has expanded its efforts to offer two new programs, family research assistance to help supporters interested in tracing their family history and a genealogy network to help supporters communicate with others sharing an interest in genealogy.

Friends for the Preservation of Middlesex County Jewish Cemeteries Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in 2005 to raise funds to maintain specific cemeteries forever, recognizing that current perpetual-care funds have become insufficient to accomplish that goal.

Those interested in contributing or obtaining additional information are urged to contact Friends for Preservation of Middlesex County Jewish Cemeteries Inc. at:

phone: (856) 222-1418
email: friends@friendsofjewishcemeteries.org 
website: www.friendsofjewishcemeteries.org

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