Turov Cemetery

Dear Fellow Researcher,

In 2005, I and several other contributors endeavored to document the cemetery in Turov, Belarus. I am making a journey to Turov in May 2008 to have a first-hand look at the town and to determine whether we should continue to pursue the restoration project.

The first phase consisted of photographing all existing tombstones and of assessing the present condition of the cemetery. In Phase II, the plan is to restore the cemetery based on the information collected in Phase I. Additionally, there are general plans to erect or repair the Holocaust memorial already in place over the mass grave.

Phase I is complete. 26 gravestones have been photographed and all fallen stones were reset. An unexpected discovery was made when an unknown number of partially buried gravestones in one corner of the cemetery were found. After Rabbinic consultation, it was determined that the team could excavate these buried stones and we will attempt their restoration as part of Phase II.

Estimates for the Phase II work, of repairing and painting the fence surrounding the cemetery and for the erection of a new Holocaust Plaque and the restoration of the 1965 memorial, are as follows:

Erecting of a new monument with inscriptions on it written in several languages, putting the area around the monument in order will amount to $ 2200.

Maintenance of the fence where it is necessary and installing a new one in the places where there is no fence at all will amount to $630. Painting both sides of the fence (fence dimensions are: 400 meters long, 1,5 meters high) will amount to $ 940. This sum includes - $450 cost of paint; $ 70 cost of paint-brushes and dissolvent; $420 for labor. Our engineer advises that the fence be given 2 coats of paint – in this case the cost will be $1670. [The cemetery map indicates the sections needing repair and replacement]

Cutting the grass and trimming the bushes in the cemetery will amount to $ 130.

Transportation for the team to Turov and back to Minsk amounts to $100.

Your financial participation is integral to this Turov cemetery project. In order to begin Phase II, we need to raise $4,730.00 U.S. to send the team from the Jewish Heritage Research Group in Belarus (JHRGB) to Turov to arrange for the work to be completed. I ask for your generous support to help us begin this effort and to do an important Mitzvah.

Donations can be made by check or money order to Jewish Heritage’s U.S. partner:

American Friends of Belorussian Jews (AFBJ)
Turov Project
2211 Ontario Rd, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Please note that for U.S. tax purposes, AFBJ has applied for and has not yet obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Sincerely,

Don Szumowski
Washington, DC

If you would like to contact me: send an email

Here are pictures of the Turov cemetery taken by Dr. Leonid Smilovitsky during his visit in 2002.