Letters/Discussion Forums
Jewish tomb raider causes anger and sorrow
The article “Tomb raider caught out in Cape cemetery” in the 26 July edition of the SA Jewish Report elicited emotions of sorrow and anger that a fellow Jewish stonemason could vandalise and desecrate graves for his personal financial gain.
Ian Camissar, Cape Town
A cemetery is a holy place. As a cantor and stonemason, I have the honour and privilege of manufacturing tombstones in respect of the deceased who have passed on to the next world.
First and foremost, I consider it a great mitzvah (good deed) to carry out this special holy work. I have been informed by families, for whom I have made tombstones over the past decade, that the matzevah (tombstone) gives them much comfort and peace when they visit their relatives at our Jewish cemeteries in Cape Town.
I trust that this will never ever happen in the future, and that our loved ones may rest b’shalom in peace.