Fall 2025
Major Capital Improvements Underway
Restoring Beauty – Improving Safety
The Beth Israel Cemetery Association is embarking on a multi-phase Capital Improvement Project focusing on updating our grounds. This major initiative, guided by professional landscaping/hardscaping designers will address: tree health, overall design/aesthetics, and crucial walkway safety upgrades.
Landscaping
We have successfully completed landscaping improvements for stage 1 in the old section. This phase involved removing old, decaying, high-maintenance trees, and replacing them with deer-resistant varieties including: Flowering Dogwoods, Hornbeams, Arborvitae, Japanese Plum Yew, Weeping Japanese Maple, & Dwarf Fountain Grasses.
Hardscaping
As part of Stage One, we are also assessing the walkway pavers that were installed in the 1980’s. After many years, they have begun to deteriorate and require our attention. In addition, the walkway needs to be raised to reduce water damage. We have received several estimates for repairing the walkway and possible installation of an all new walkway.
Next Steps. . . Capital Improvement Drive
The significant costs of replacing the stone walkway and continuing our tree planting initiatives is expensive! Therefore, we are launching a Capital Improvement Drive. We invite you to contribute!
How Can I Help Support Our Capital Improvement Drive? . . .
Sponsor a Tree or Contribute to our Walkway Repair Your donation will be applied directly to our most critical needs. . . the hardscaping and landscaping projects. Every dollar helps us move toward a safe and beautiful cemetery entrance.
Donor Recognition. . . While we cannot place new plantings directly next to specific graves (due to restrictions on root growth), we plan to honor all major donors with an acknowledgement plaque at the cemetery to commemorate their generosity toward these vital capital improvements.
If you are interested in supporting our Capital Improvement Project please contact Larry Gordon at laurence.m.gordon@gmail.com or call 908-448-7015.
In Other News. . .
Volunteers Needed for the Bi-Annual Flag Placement
Each year, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day we place an American Flag at each Veterans grave. We place the flags the Sunday prior to the holiday and remove them the following Sunday.
Updated Protocol: We now place flags for approximately one week around the holiday, and then remove them. This is in alignment with proper American Flag protocols and prevents the flags from becoming damaged, which would be disrespectful.
If you’d like to volunteer to be on the list to help with flag placement or removal, please contact Larry Gordon at:
laurence.m.gordon@gmail.com or call 908-448-7015
Light Gardening and Maintenance
We welcome volunteers for lighter, routine tasks, such as watering our new plantings and other garden maintenance. This is a great way to get some fresh air while helping our new trees and shrubs thrive!
If you would like to offer your time – Please contact Larry if you can lend a hand. laurence.m.gordon@gmail.com or call 908-448-7015