The Hartford Police Italian Officers Association provided a grant to assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.

Photo credit: Shelby McInvale (submitted photo)

Submitted

West Hartford resident Howard Sovronsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, is shown in the above photograph accepting a gift from the Hartford Police Italian Officers Association to help defray the costs associated with the recently vandalized gravestones in Hartford Jewish cemeteries. Lisa Vaeth, director of the Association of Jewish Cemeteries and Eric Zachs, Board Chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford are also pictured.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Association of Jewish Cemeteries reports that approximately 22 gravestones were vandalized within Zion Hill Cemetery in Hartford. There are approximately 137 burials at this site dating back to 1902.

Police are currently investigating, and patrolling the area. These cemeteries were once affiliated with organizations or synagogues that are now defunct.

For over three decades, The Federation has assumed responsibility for the care and management of 28 disbanded Jewish cemeteries in Greater Hartford. The Association provides these 28 sacred burial grounds with the proper maintenance and respect they deserve. Lawn care, snow removal, fence repairs, masonry work, tombstone resetting, burials and general upkeep provide dignity to our Hartford ancestors.