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There are too many of these in Houston.

It is said that to make a minyan at a funeral is the ultimate mitzvah:  You can have no hope of the deed being "returned," so it is a truly selfless act.  We at Lodge Galil of the Hebrew Order of David International (HOD) are taking that one step further. Unfortunately there are MANY Jewish graves in Houston with no permanent marker.  We believe that number should be zero.  Consequently, we are coordinating a Community-Wide Mitzvah project to place a permanent marker on all Jewish graves that do not have them. All congregations with cemeteries in Houston are involved.

We had an unveiling of the first eight markers in conjunction with Rabbis from each community with cemeteries, to launch the program and help get the word out. The costs for these initial markers is being paid for by HOD Galil. Multiple unveilings took place on Sunday October 6, 2019 between Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur.  ( see below for confirmed times and locations. )

HOD Brothers Ivor Segall and Alan Lipman originated and are coordinating this project for Lodge Galil. Gaitz Memorials is lending gracious assistance with purchasing, and engraving and Ramirez Cemetery Services is placing the markers. We are starting with burials that occurred many years ago, with those whom the cemetery has lost track of who is buried there, or who we know have no family. 

Lodge Galil is looking for interested parties to help fund this project.  We do not have the funds to see this project to completion. If interested in helping with this project or discussing further, please do not hesitate to contact Bro. Ivor Segall or Bro. Alan Lipman, HOD Galil's Gravestone Project Chairmen at GravestoneProject@hodgalil.org or donate directly at  www.hodgalil.org/Donate . (Old fashioned checks payable to HOD Gravestone Project can be snail mailed to 9627 Cedarhurst Drive, Houston, TX 77096.)

The Hebrew Order of David is a Jewish fraternal organization supporting its members, and serving the community, applying Jewish ideals and values while providing its members the opportunity for personal development.  It is over 100 years old.

   

 

Gravestone Project Initiated - 10-6-2019

Many members of HOD Lodge Galil attended the unveiling for eight permanent markers at four different Houston area Jewish cemeteries.

At each cemetery a Rabbi from that congregation conducted a brief service to honor the deceased.

HOD urges members of those congregations to offer their support so that no grave is left without a permanent marker.

One potential new member who was considering joining HOD for some time but had not made the commitment yet, signed up when he read about this meaningful MITZVAH that the Order has undertaken.

Some pictures are show below:

  

 

 

At Beth Jacob, affiliated with UOS (United Orthodox)

At N.Post Oak, affiliated with Congregation Beth Yeshurun

(Rabbi Morgan pictured on the right is a Member of HOD)

Bro. Alan Lipman & Bro. Ivor Segall

At Beth Israel Memorial Garden

At Emanu El Memorial Park

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Thanks to The Jewish Herald Voice

 click on this link - HOD Gravestone Project Places First 8 Markers

Houston Chronicle Newspaper - Sunday 10-20-2019

Hou Chron - Article 10-20-2019 Initial Gravestone unveilings.jpg