Woonsocket cemetery reorganizes

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Friends of B’nai Israel Cemetery (FBIC) has taken over responsibility for Congregation B’nai Israel’s cemetery in Woonsocket, and burial in the cemetery will no longer be restricted to members and relatives of the congregation.

 

“Friends of B’nai Israel Cemetery now offers both traditional and open (interfaith) [burial] areas to the greater Jewish community of northern Rhode Island as well as south-central Massachusetts,” Stephan R. Bloch, president of Friends of B’nai Israel Cemetery, wrote in an email. “We also allow for burial of cremated remains.”

To explain the need for transferring responsibility of the historical cemetery to FBIC, Bloch gave The Voice a letter that was sent to CBI’s congregants in the fall: “This past April, the Board of Directors of Congregation B’nai Israel voted to begin the process of transferring ownership of its cemetery to Friends of B’nai Israel Cemetery. The increasing financial challenges of an aging building and decreasing membership necessitated this action.”

Approval from the state of Rhode Island was required, and that came in the fall.

FBIC was founded in 2010 by congregants Bloch and Bernice Salzberg to protect the cemetery from the synagogue’s “financial challenges.”

FBIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has received donations and pledges from more than 125 people. In addition to Bloch and Salzberg, officers are Arthur Robbins, vice president, and Judy Schoenfeld, secretary.

The cemetery is situated off Mendon Road in Woonsocket. It was acquired in 1893 and dedicated in 1895.

For more information, go to FriendsofBIC.org, call 401-216-9588, or write to Friends of Congregation B’nai Israel Cemetery, P.O. Box 250, Slatersville, RI 02876.