JCAGB Improves Baltimore's Shaimos Burial Process with New Storage Container; Baltimore Chesed League Volunteers Assist (Photos)

By BJLife Newsroom
Posted on 03/20/23

Baltimore, MD - Mar. 20, 2023 - In our continued effort to assist the Baltimore Jewish community streamline a growing demand of Shaimos burials, the Jewish Cemetery Association of Greater Baltimore, (JCAGB) purchased and installed a 40' x 10' x 10' fully enclosed storage container to assist with Shaimos drop offs and burials.  Set at the top of the hill at the Bowleys Lane Cemetery in Rosedale, MD, thousands of Shaimos were delivered yesterday from the Agudath Israel of Baltimore, with the assistance of several volunteers from the Baltimore Chesed League.

According to JCAGB Executive Director Steven Venick, the idea with us purchasing a storage container is to save our local Jewish community both time and money by having a fully enclosed on site storage unit for volunteers to deliver Shaimos on an at need basis which will allow us to bury them progressively instead of accumulating a mass quantity.  This helps us reduce excavation and extra equipment along with additional time, money and resources.  The JCAGB took on the financial responsibility of Shaimos burials last year as our board recognized the importance of properly burying books and other documents that are no longer usable.  Venick is proud to be a part of this incredible mitzvah as it shows how much our community is growing as a whole. 

Recently, the JCAGB has received several calls from New York, New Jersey and surrounding states asking if we have additional land to be purchased for outside Shaimos burials.  After our board carefully reviewed the opportunity, we decided it is in our best interest to reserve our precious land specifically for the needs of our Baltimore community. 

For Shaimos related questions, Steven Venick can be reached at (443) 819-8152 or Steve@JCABaltimore.org. JCAGB is an agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.