Courtesy of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
Summer 2024: Jewish Cemeteries employees and hired specialists lift a toppled stone, aided by a crane
Submitted by JCGC
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is pleased to invite the entire Jewish Community to rededicate now-restored Jewish cemeteries which were vandalized last summer in the Covedale neighborhood. It is hoped that families affected by the desecration and others will find closure in the event and learn about the cemeteries’ history.
Healing Covedale: A Rededication is planned for June 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Covedale Cemeteries Complex. A shade tent, seating and water will be provided. Sue Susskind, Executive Director of Jewish Cemeteries, will present the narrative of what has occurred there since July 1, 2024 and describe ongoing improvements enabled by targeted donations.
Rabbi Yosef Alt of Golf Manor Synagogue will speak on the importance of the affected Covedale cemeteries, especially to our Cincinnati Orthodox community but also to Jews nationwide as well, since they contain graves of many esteemed and celebrated individuals. Golf Manor Synagogue is the “descendant” of several of the congregations that buried at Covedale in its early decades. The program will conclude with Rabbi Alt’s rededication of the restored burial grounds, once more at peace.
Jewish Cemeteries was forced to invest numerous staff hours, sweat equity and thousands of dollars to righting the 170-plus headstones and monuments that were pushed over last summer. The act of desecration attracted media attention from around the world.
Elected officials who have supported Jewish Cemeteries in the recovery effort plan to attend June 8, joined by representatives of local law enforcement and Jewish community organizations who helped in recovery. Event Chair Marlene Ostrow, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Cemeteries, said, “We have also invited as our honored guests members of Covedale’s community who supported us, and all who donated funds and services critical to this healing and restoration effort since last summer.”
“What happened will not be forgotten, because it was an affront to the dignity and honor owed to those who have passed,” said Susskind. “But with help and strength from every side, we have proved that we will stay true to our mission regardless.”
Those who plan to attend may RSVP by calling the Jewish Cemeteries office. There will be limited free transportation available from the Mayerson JCC by reservation.
The program will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and conclude by noon. Visitors are welcome to walk the cemeteries afterward. Located at 2111 Anderson Ferry Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45238.
