It was surprising to receive the call from the Jerusalem Post. And a few weeks later, Earl Gurell called up, "It's in The Forward… in Yiddish!" But if you happened to be there at Mt. Hope Cemetery, on that warm summer morning, you would agree: It's a story that ought to be told - on local TV and the papers - and yes, to all those who care about heritage, history and the life of our people.

Here's the story: A community service was held Sunday morning August 12 at Mt. Hope Cemetery to rededicate the first public Jewish cemetery in Rochester. Rabbi Laurence Kotok and Chazzan Martin Leubitz (of Temple Beth El) officiated. Eighty members of the community joined together to rededicate this first Jewish burial site. Prayers and psalms concluded, the group walked about half a mile down the hill to the Jewish Poor Lot, purchased for $1 from the City in 1885.

Both areas were rediscovered during the TBK October 2005 Mitzvah Day. They were found desecrated by time and vandals. Research by Earl Gurell and Jerry Zakalik showed that these sections indeed were the first public Jewish burial plots in Rochester. One section was purchased by several of the founders of the then Orthodox temple "Berith Kodesh" on April 3rd, 1848 (seven months before the temple was founded). Invaluable help from Emily Wood and Suzanne Clark of the TBK staff helped lead to the discovery of these forgotten areas.

Now lovingly restored, these sites give testimony to the hard lives endured by the early settlers of Rochester. Rich and poor alike suffered the loss of many of their children to sickness and disease. It is fitting and proper we rededicate the burial places of these brave founders of our Jewish community.

So many to thank! Jerry Zakalik and Earl Gurell of course. Mt. Hope Cemetery, David Levy of Parsky Memorial Chapel, Burt and Audrey Gordon and The Foundation for the Jewish Community, The Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery, Warren Alent (of blessed memory) and Alent-Baker Monuments, Lawrence Fine and our friends at the JCF. And to the City of Rochester and Mr. Jeffery Simmons, Cemetery Operations Supervisor for his kind support.