Five years after the formation of Congregation B'nei Israel, the Board of Directors approved a motion to purchase land for a cemetery for the Congregation. A diligent search of almost one year was rewarded by the location of a suitable property of aproximately 5,000 m2, located in Santa Ana, ten minutes West from the center of San Jose.

    On Sunday, September 15, 1991, Rabbi Harry Roth led us in an on-site service to consecrate the cemetery grounds.

    Architect Karin Nagel, daughter of Tomas and Carla Nagel, members of our Congregation, contributed the design and master plan, which exceeded minimum requirements in landscaping, a facility for "Tahara," and a small gazebo. Also included was a storeroom, guard's quarters, public toilets, plus sinks near the entrance-exit gates.

    An intensive fund-raising campaign led by Miriam Hirsch and Gregorio Stern, raised sufficient funds to enable a 2 1/2 m. high concrete wall to be erected around the approximately 1,800 m2 to be used for the first stage of the cemetery. On Sunday, March 1, 1992, the cornerstone was laid in a touching ceremony where a parchment - with the names of all the generous donors - placed in an airtight vessel was embedded in the wall by Yair Hirsch. The walls were completed and the cemetery consecrated on November 1, 1992, in a ceremony led by Rabbi Roth.

    Over the years, other members of B'nei Israel have organized different activities to raise funds for the cemetery, which have granted some improvements, such as the grass and the irrigation system.

    The financial maintenance of the cemetery depends upon various items:

• plots are priced at $1,000 each with sufficient plots available for a family to purchase two or more (there are 57 plots in this first stage)
• a monthly maintenance fee is charged
• the Congregation raises additional funds throughout the year for other expenses and proposed improvements.

    On Wednesday, December 2, 1992, the rules and regulations were revised and approved by the General Assembly of Congregation B'nei Israel. Basically, only members of B'nei Israel can purchase burial plot rights for themselves and their immediate family members, but interrment is open to any Jew, if space is available. Any member, and his/her family irrespective of their religion, may be buried in the cemetery, provided the funeral service is held according to Jewish rituals.

    Burial services can be performed by a Rabbi if available, and if not, by a specially trained member of the Congregation.Services are according to the rites of Reform Judaism.

    In 1993, Hans Rubinsfeld, Jewish resident of Costa Rica, became the first person to be buried in our Cemetery. Rabbi Roth officiated.

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Address:  700 meters West of Pops in the Sabana, on the old road to Escazu, corner building at your left. Tel. 231-5243  /  Fax:         /  E-mail:  congbnei@racsa.co.cr