Suspected Vandalism at Jewish Cemetery Raises Antisemitism Concerns
Damage to Fence and Gravestones at Workmen's Circle Cemetery
On August 19th, the supervisor at Workmen’s Circle Cemetery on Route 99 in southeast Melrose discovered damage to the cemetery: a wooden fence had been set on fire, a chain link fence had been severely bent, one gravestone was scorched, and another was knocked over. The Melrose Police Department is investigating the incident as an act of vandalism and has reached out to the public asking for assistance from anyone who might have information about the incident.
The Workmen’s Circle Cemetery and the neighboring cemetery, the United Brotherhood of Onikchty Society Cemetery, were both founded in the early 20th century by Jewish immigrants. Many of them had fled persecution in Europe and arrived in the United States with limited resources, limited English, and only one another to rely on. The Workmen’s Circle and the United Brotherhood of Onikchty Society were both mutual aid organizations that provided education, healthcare, life insurance, and a burial plot to their members.
Many of the gravestones in these cemeteries are written in both Hebrew and English, and walking among the monuments reveals, in some ways, the story of these Jewish immigrants and their descendants. Gravestones describe servicemembers and veterans; beloved spouses, parents, grandparents, and even a few children; names that slowly began to sound more "American" as families assimilated and Yiddish-speaking households gave way to English.
The Workmen's Circle Cemetery
Jamie Cotel, the executive director of the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts, which now owns the Workmen’s Circle and Onikchty cemeteries, said that this is not the first time these cemeteries have been vandalized. “In my experience over years of working to protect and preserve Jewish cemeteries,” she said, “individuals committing hate crimes in Jewish cemeteries often destroy monuments and damage property without leaving a written message of hate or a swastika.”
Cotel emphasized that Jewish cemeteries are especially vulnerable to vandalism and hate crimes, due to their nature: they are open spaces with no walls, where security is challenging. Burials still occasionally take place at the Workmen's Circle and Onikchty cemeteries, and people come to visit loved ones, learn more about their family history, or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
“These horrific acts of hate of attempting to burn down the cemetery, destroying a section of a chain link fence, scorching a monument and knocking down another monument are despicable acts of antisemitism,” she said.
These cemeteries are not directly connected to Temple Beth Shalom, Melrose’s main Jewish space, but the suspected acts of vandalism raise concerns about antisemitism, especially now, with reported incidents on the rise in the U.S.
“While this is far from the first time there has been vandalism at a local Jewish cemetery, it feels a bit different this year in particular,” said Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal of Temple Beth Shalom. “It is painful for the community, and heightens the fear many already have. The synagogue has very close ties with Melrose and we have wonderful relationships with the city leadership, but antisemitism is always around waiting for the right moment. It has been a difficult year for the schools in regards to antisemitism and Islamophobia. Our goal is to continue to be a part of the fabric of the city and work towards a time when we can all see each other as whole human beings.”
Anyone who might have information about the incident is urged to contact the Melrose Police Department at 781-979-4213.
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