CAJAC IS A FIVE STAR CHARITY!
With no where to turn, I happened upon CAJAC's website and called the number listed, leaving a message. My call was returned within 15 minutes, and I immediately felt as though the matter that I needed help with was a priority.
I explained that I had located the graves of my great-grandparents and other family members at a very old Jewish cemetery in New York City. I had no idea whether this very large cemetery was abandoned or how to find my family. CAJAC offered to use its resources and research the names for me. Within less than one week, CAJAC had located 9 of my family members in two different cemeteries, including my great-grandparents. We agreed that when the winter was over, we would meet at the cemetery to assess the condition of the graves.
When the weather was warmer, CAJAC followed up with me and offered to meet me at the cemetery. Not knowing the condition of these very old headstones, CAJAC was equipped to clean, photograph and document all of the graves. Together, we spent a few hours doing all of that because most of the headstones could not be read. CAJAC's director taught me how to clean the headstones with a safe liquid and even translated the writing for me.
There were small headstones of two children who had passed away right next to my great aunt and uncle. The stones were filthy and one was down on the ground. We cleaned both tiny stones, which revealed names of babies and a small lamb on one of the stones. CAJAC promised to re set the stone that had fallen. I do not live in New York City so when I returned several weeks later, not only was the baby's stone facing upright, but the entire area was cleaner and the stones were perfectly clean and legible.
Thank you, CAJAC, for going above and beyond to help me find my family and honor them in a way that will keep their memory alive. I have made a donation and will continue to do so!
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- EIN 56-2649778
- (914) 683-9610
- 171 Madison Avenue Suite 102 New York NY 10016-5110 USA
- www.cajac.us
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Mission: To provide for the welfare,maintenance,restoration and continuity of new york area jewish cemeteries which are at-risk financially and in need of assistance.
Programs: Jewish cemetery restoration and improvement. Activities support the repair and rehabilitation of jewish burial grounds in disrepair including the annual deployment of more than 500 volunteers to cemeteries in need. This is to benefit the larger jewish community and hundreds of jewish organizations represented at beneficiary cemeteries.
pro-bono consultation,education,and volunteer engagement. On an ongoing basis, cajac provides pro-bono guidance and support to no less than 15 organizations managing,operating,or otherwise involved in the administration of jewish cemeteries. As a corollary,cajac conducts educational forums and activities for youth groups,schools,and adult constituencies. Cajac also organizes volunteer outings for a minimum of 500 people annually.
fundraising. Cajac devotes energy to procuring grants and charitable funds to advance the restoration and permanent maintenance of its constituent cemeteries.