Your email is not valid
Recipient's email is not valid
Submit Close

Your email has been sent.

Click here to send another

United States

Unveiling

A photographer discovers Jewish gravestones at a tony golf course

By Ahron D. Weiner|July 21, 2009 7:00 AM|13comments
Print Email
Gravestones used as an embankment at the Woodmere Club (Ahron D. Weiner)

As a photographer who spent years documenting Jewish sites throughout Eastern Europe, I have a perhaps heightened sensitivity to the use and misuse of Judaica. In town after town from—Prague, Czech Republic, to Uman, Ukraine, with plenty of small villages in between—I’ve found and photographed Jewish gravestones used as walls, as chimneys, and roads. So when I was walking with my 7-year-old son past the 17th hole of the Woodmere Club’s golf course, on Long Island, I was surprised to find a Star of David carved into a stone used as part of a retaining wall, protecting the course from the Reynolds Channel. I looked closer, and discovered hundreds of gravestones, many carved with Jewish names, used as embankment material. The New York Post reported on this yesterday; the club insists the stones—none of which seem to contain dates, only names and symbols—were extra granite, donated many years ago by long-dead club members. Here, for the first time, is a collection of my photos.
More In:
  • Petra

    Despicable.

  • Asher

    It’s not what it looks like. First the country club has a very large Jewish membership. Second, the stones were donated by a member to the club. The members owned a tombstone company and the stones were faulty and never used on an actual grave. It is an old story that has been “uncovered” several times in the past. No one is trying to cover up or hide any of the facts.

  • GABE

    Why didn’t they at the least shave off the inscriptions or symbols before using these “faulty” stones? Disturbing none the less.

  • Izzy

    What is the problem? What is so disturbing? If you need something to fill your time, find a hungry person and feed them. Kvit your Kvetching!

  • M Rose

    Shame on you, Tablet!

    This is a non story. Why would you infer scandal when none exists?

    With so much important material about real topics needing visibility, Tablet can make better us of its web presence.

  • http://ianthal.blogspot.com Ian Thal

    If it is a non-scandal as Asher insists, it’s still interesting, still I would like to see some evidence that some research has been done to back up that story.

  • Eclessiast Ammar

    Thank you for this great article *it touched my soul* al about Jewish People History is beloved spirituality *may Elohim SAVE AL JEWISHS AND WHOLE ISRAELS HOUSE ! SHALOM .

  • watches

    |Emporio Armani Watches

  • http://IE Judith

    If only all could respect the gift of faith they have been given and realize that all are not gifted equally. GOD could be so much better served and His wisdom of disbursement honored. Who among us knows what His ultimate plan is and how He will hold us accountable. We can only be sure our devotion to His Will may grant us eternity in His presence.

  • perot

    Horrible !

    Hey, rich Long Island golfing guys..why not change the club name from Woodmere to

    ” Vay iz Mere ”

    Ah Shanda !

  • http://www.phenomenalarticles.com/Art/385921/283/Australia-Holiday-Destinations-and-Recommendations-for-a-Great-Family-Vacation.html Maragret Lebourgeois

    I stumbled upon this information earlier today while at the office. Very informative. Sent the link to myself and will probably bookmark it once I go back home.

  • http://www.mashget.info Cindi Salisbury

    45. I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  • http://www.articlerich.com/Article/Using-Cell-Phones-to-Avoid-Traffic/1512130 Carl Bonamico

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

Thank You!

Thank you for subscribing to the Tablet Magazine Daily Digest.
Please tell us about you.

Unveiling

A photographer discovers Jewish gravestones at a tony golf course