Cemetery upkeep concerns reader 

I would like to bring to the community’s attention a matter that is of great importance to me. My late husband, my mother and many cherished friends are buried at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery. Unfortunately, despite numerous complaints, the grounds are not being adequately maintained, and in many cases appear to be completely neglected. 

My mother passed away in 2009 and I was assured when making payment for perpetual care that her gravesite and the cemetery grounds would be well cared for in the future. 

My husband passed away in 1992. His gravesite at this cemetery was well kept for many years. In the past decade, however, there has been very little (if any) upkeep of the cemetery grounds. This is simply unacceptable. The woefully neglected appearance of the gravesites deprives the deceased of the dignity they are entitled. It is also disrespectful to the living who come to this sacred site to mourn, to pray, to cry, to remember our loved ones.  

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It is my hope that by bringing this situation to the community’s attention that the situation may be resolved and that the final resting places of our dear ones may again be treated with appropriate care and respect.

Natalie Frants, Unincorporated St. Louis County

Don’t trivialize the High Holidays

I was both saddened and shocked after reading the Sept. 3 feature showcasing incredibly expensive  fashion for the High Holidays (“High Fashion meets High Holidays”). Saddened because of the apparent disregard of the meaning of a most sacred Jewish holiday; and shocked at the seemingly perpetuated myth that Jews have an abundance of disposable income. Lest we not forget, Rosh Hashanah is a holiday celebrating new beginnings, not new clothing. How ironic that our Jewish New Year celebrates the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve who wore nothing but fig leaves. This year I will be wearing a four-year-old skirt and making a donation to the Jewish Food Pantry.  L’shana tova tikatevu.

Carol Grosz, Chesterfield

I was taken aback when I saw children on the front page of the Light “Standing for Israel’s troops” (Aug. 13 edition) followed by rabbis in Ferguson (Aug. 20).    

The children raised money for the troops in Israel going through hell every day. What did the rabbis protesting in Ferguson accomplish? Nothing, as far as I am concerned. Where are the rabbis here in St. Louis coming out in support of Rabbi Joseph Raskin, murdered on his way to synagogue services in North Miami Beach on a Saturday morning? How about all of the children in Israel and others under the threat every day from rockets fired from Gaza?  Where are the rabbis standing up for the horrendous situation of the Jews in Ukraine?  Is Ferguson more important because it is local?

This is not to say we should live in a vacuum. However, look what is happening to Jews around the world. Anti-Semitism in Europe is rampant. Israel has been fighting for its life. Jews in Ukraine are being uprooted, displaced, harmed physically and emotionally. Charity and help begins in our own community. 

James Pollock, Chesterfield