Portraits of the deceased on gravestones do actually not exist in Jewish tradition. It is a custom that is common in Christian cemeteries in many European countries and was adopted since the interwar period. The Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi) is particularly rich in such portraits.

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

Portraits on gravestones at the Jewish cemetery of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi)

On April 18, my friends and I came back home from our trip to Bukovina. What happened between the last blog post on April 15, and our return, I still have to report. At the end of this journey I also have to thank some people – my friends Petra and Achim and my virtual fellow travelers who have commented, offered advice and shared memories. We’ll meet again – on the next trip!

Czernowitz Old Jewish Cemetery – wall consisting of tombstones

Czernowitz Old Jewish Cemetery

Czernowitz Old Jewish Cemetery

Czernowitz Old Jewish Cemetery

Czernowitz Grand Temple – now a cinema

Czernowitz – buying flowers from the babushkas

Bus from Czernowitz to Suceava

Bus from Czernowitz to Suceava

Leaving Cluj

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It was a gray day in Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) today. For three hours I went for a walk in the Jewish cemetery – a place which speaks about one and a half centuries of life of one of the most important Jewish communities in eastern Europe. There is good news to report, the situation has improved since my visit last summer. Most of the ways and pathes are cleared and accessible. Large parts of the cemetery have been cleaned – and this was done very thorough and sustainable. The various initiatives to maintain the cemetery finally have an effect. But now the destructions of the past are getting visible. A new challenge.

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

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